US-China Summit Watch: Trump welcomed Xi to the White House for a lavish, symbolism-heavy state visit expected to deliver limited substance, with both sides trying to project “stable ties” while disputes over AI, trade, Taiwan, and Iran remain unresolved; the US also announced a two-month extension of the trade truce to Jan. 10, easing near-term tariff pressure but not solving the bigger tech-and-minerals fight. Taiwan Flashpoint: Xi urged the US to oppose “Taiwan independence,” while Trump has framed Taiwan arms as leverage—keeping Taipei’s security and Washington’s policy signals front and center. Tech & Chips: AI governance and semiconductor controls are set as key bargaining areas, with markets watching for any guardrails; meanwhile, a separate chip-industry rumor says major US players are evaluating Intel’s 14A process as an alternative amid supply-chain and capacity concerns. Taiwan Industry Angle: Taiwan’s AI-driven manufacturing strength is highlighted by forecasts that the island will grow faster than China in 2026 as semiconductor demand lifts exports. Mobility Batteries: Mercedes-Benz and ProLogium signed a joint testing agreement for ProLogium’s Gen4 solid-state battery cells, signaling continued investment in next-gen EV power. Regional Business Context: Moody’s Analytics expects several APAC economies—including Taiwan—to outperform China in 2026 due to deeper integration into the AI supply chain.