Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has a simple ask for Washington: clear the path for President Donald Trump's upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Speaking Wednesday in Beijing with U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, Wang urged both sides to "remove disruptions and overcome obstacles" in their relationship, acknowledging that ties between the world's two largest economies "still face various risks and challenges."

"The two sides should implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, focus on a positive agenda, properly manage differences, remove disruptions and overcome obstacles for high-level exchanges," Wang said, according to China's Foreign Ministry readout. He called for "steady, healthy and sustainable development" of ties.

Perdue echoed the sentiment, saying both sides wanted to strengthen communication, advance cooperation, and prepare for the next round of high-level interactions.

MarketDash reached out to the White House for comment on Wang's appeal but did not receive an immediate response.

Xi is expected to visit the White House on Sept. 24. Trump extended the invitation during his May state visit to Beijing, when the leaders created bilateral trade and investment boards but left major disagreements over Taiwan and trade unresolved.

Trade and AI Talks Test Détente

The two countries are also gearing up for their first formal AI talks under the Trump administration in September, with discussions expected to focus on risks posed by increasingly powerful frontier models.

But fresh disputes are testing that détente. Trump is considering another 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods over alleged industrial overcapacity ahead of Xi's visit.

Iran Sanctions and Cyber Tensions Mount

Washington's expanding Iran sanctions create another fault line. The Treasury this week launched Operation Economic Outcast, targeting nearly 60 Iran-linked individuals, entities, and vessels, including networks operating through China and Hong Kong.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded that "Economic warfare and maximum pressure provide no solution," warning they would "fuel tensions and lead to risk spillover."

Cybersecurity tensions have risen as well. The Justice Department and FBI this week disrupted a China-linked hacking operation that targeted NASA, the Federal Reserve, the Energy Department, and U.S. Senate networks. The DOJ identified the group as PRC state-sponsored.