Economic issues are expected to take centre stage at the US-China summit in April but regional security will also feature, according to former US ambassador to Beijing Nicholas Burns.

Speaking via a video link to the Yale Centre Beijing on Tuesday, Burns said US President Donald Trump would be “right to focus on economic issues” during his trip to the Chinese capital for talks with President Xi Jinping.

“And let us hope that they can sustain the truce in tariffs – the tariff wars – and sustain the truce in the supply chain wars in 2026 that were so destabilising in 2025,” Burns said, adding that other matters would be discussed.

“Because there are so many issues that divide the two countries and that threaten the peace between the two countries.”

Xi is expected to make a state visit to the United States this year.