There is no shortage of difficult issues for Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss during the Chinese leader's three-day visit to Washington.

However, expectations for substantive breakthroughs remain low.

Major points of contention include the Iran war, the future of Taiwan, ongoing trade tensions, and efforts to establish safeguards for artificial intelligence.

How is China playing its hand geopolitically, and what might be the biggest takeaway from the meeting?

DW's Chief International Editor Richard Walker shares his insights.