CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: Spectacle-heavy Trump-Xi summit was more about domestic messaging

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose for a photo with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan walk down the steps of the National Archives during President Xi Jinping's state visit, Sept. 25 2026, in Washington, DC. The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty ImagesHi, this is Evelyn, writing to you from Beijing. Welcome to the latest edition of The China Connection — a snapshot of what I'm seeing and hearing from local businesses.Now that the second Trump-Xi summit of the year is over, it's clear the show was aimed more at home than reaching tangible outcomes. Is agreeing to talk enough?The $30 billion tariff rollback released Monday morning Beijing time reads like the perfect shopping list. American consumers get to buy cheaper curtains, sports equipment and Christmas lights. Chinese get a discount on U.S. beef, soymeal and other agricultural products. American ice cream is even on the list.It's the most detailed outcome so far of the summit last week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C. The official readouts otherwise did not make much headway on major issues, beyond agreeing to keep talk...