Countries that previously shunned China during trade disputes with the U.S. are now sending their leaders to Beijing to meet with President Xi Jinping and strike business deals. National leaders from at least five countries, including the UK and Canada, have visited China in January alone.

The visits reflect managed resets amidst rising U.S. policy uncertainty, with nations preferring communication with Beijing over disengagement. Trump’s tariffs on China and other partners have prompted countries to increase economic engagement with China, valuing ties with its large economy.

During state visits, large business delegations accompany national leaders to China. British companies and organizations accompanied the UK prime minister, with AstraZeneca announcing a $15 billion investment in China. Canada agreed to cut tariffs on Chinese electric cars in exchange for lower Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola seeds.

Despite increasing economic engagement with China, some visiting nations still consider the U.S. as their largest trading partner. Tensions between the U.S. and China persist, with China being the first major economy to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs. The potential for Trump and Xi to meet multiple times this year presents an opportunity for greater global stability.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, hosted by China this year, provides an opportunity for world leaders to meet. However, leaders must balance their relationships with China carefully, as threats of tariffs from Trump and other Western leaders show the delicate nature of international relations. Trust between the EU and China remains limited despite increased economic engagement.

Read more at CNBC: World leaders descend on Beijing as 2026 kicks off, hedging against U.S. disruptions