Aerospace & Defense: Beef, beans and Boeing: What's at stake in the Trump–Xi Summit for A&D

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Aerospace & Defense: Beef, beans and Boeing: What's at stake in the Trump–Xi Summit for A&D

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Aerospace & Defense

Beef, beans and Boeing: What's at stake in

the Trump–Xi Summit for A&D

Industry Overview

Focus on Iran de-escalation 11 May 2026

President Trump is slated to meet with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14–15, Equity

2026. In our view, this is a summit about managing a relationship, not resetting it. Americas

Trump arrives weakened by the Iran war and gas-price pressure at home; Xi arrives with Aerospace/Defense

leverage and patience. Ronald J. Epstein

Research Analyst

We potentially expect headline deals on Boeing, beef and soybeans, an extended trade BofAS

truce, and warm imagery but no real movement on the structural issues that divide the +1r.epstein@bofa.com646 855 5695

US and China. The Trump administration most likely will be pressing Beijing to help wind Mariana Perez Mora

down the conflict. We expect rhetorical alignment on de-escalation, not substantive Research Analyst

BofAS

Chinese pressure on Tehran. +1 646 855 5696

mariana.perezmora@bofa.com

In our view, the war has likely reduced the U.S. military posture in the Indo-Pacific with Jordan Lyonnais

long-term consequences for deterring China and defending Taiwan which in turn could Research Analyst

keep steady upward pressure on US defense and national security spending. +1 646 855 5204

jordan.lyonnais@bofa.com

Seeking trade – Beef, beans, rare earths, and Boeing jets Alexander Preston

The summit is largely about preserving the fragile truce reached in Busan last October. BofAS

Washington wants an extension of the trade truce reached during the last Trump-Xi +1 646 855 3599 alexander.preston@bofa.com