Chinese President Xi Jinping has had a busy few weeks receiving Western allies seeking warmer ties with the world's second-largest economy. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney struck a trade deal slashing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and Canadian canola oil.

The ruling from Panama's top court is widely seen as a victory for the Trump administration, which is seeking to counter any Chinese influence in the region.

Since the start of the year, as President Donald Trump has alienated U.S. allies with his attack on Venezuela, demands for control of Greenland and new tariff threats, their leaders have been reviving ties with another country: China.

President Trump's tariffs and rhetoric have spurred some longtime U.S. allies to diversify their trade ties away from the U.S. Some are going cap-in-hand to Asian superpowers China and India.

World leaders were making the trip to Beijing for the first time in years to refresh their partnership with the world's second-largest economy.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Chinese President Xi Jinping, while President Donald Trump attempts to dissuade allies from Beijing.

The U.S. has a lead over China in model capability, but key AI industry leaders and experts say China is only a few months behind. The U.S.’ lead is sustained by the quality and quantity of its AI chips, which are restricted for sale in China. Recently, the Trump administration loosened those controls.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the first U.K. leader to visit China since 2018, is hoping for an economic boost to Britain but has been criticized by China hawks at home.

In response to Trump's tariffs, China's use of other Asian manufacturing markets and forced labor is adding trillions into Chinese GDP.