President Donald Trump is kicking off the busiest portion of his three-day visit to China. It's a trip that may end up focusing more on pageantry and symbolism than major bilateral breakthroughs.

Trump and Xi are set to meet in Beijing with tariffs, Taiwan tensions and the Iran conflict on the agenda as the U.S.-China relationship faces a critical test.

The Trump administration argues the trip was a success, having secured the display of conciliation and partnership the president had sought after years of increasingly dangerous acrimony.

Donald Trump has cast doubt on a $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan after talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing, raising urgent questions about US commitment to the island and whether the two superpowers can avoid the so-called Thucydides Trap.

Speaking to reporters as he flew back on Air Force One on Friday, Trump said he’d not decided on the sale, but he added, “I will make a determination.”