Trump-Xi Summit: What Malta Stands to Gain

As Air Force One touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport, the world watched and waited. But in Malta, a small group of locals gathered around their TVs, not just because the US President was in China, but because they knew this meeting could have a ripple effect on their island nation.

Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean has always made it a hub for international trade. Today, it’s also a popular tourist destination for Chinese visitors. In 2018, over 30,000 Chinese tourists visited Malta, a 20% increase from the previous year. This growth is largely thanks to direct flights from Beijing and Shanghai to Malta International Airport.

But trade and tourism aren’t the only areas where Malta and China intersect. Malta’s burgeoning tech industry has caught the eye of Chinese investors. In 2017, the Malta-China Foundation was established to foster economic and cultural ties between the two countries. Now, as Trump and Xi prepare to discuss trade and technology, Malta’s tech industry is watching closely.

For Malta, the Trump-Xi summit is about more than just trade. It’s about maintaining open lines of communication and cooperation in a world that’s becoming increasingly divided. Malta’s Foreign Minister, Carmelo Abela, has been vocal about the importance of multilateralism and free trade. He’s hoping that Trump and Xi can find common ground and send a strong signal to the rest of the world.

But it’s not just about geopolitics. It’s also about practical matters. Malta’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism and services. Any disruption in global trade or travel could have a direct impact on Malta’s economy. That’s why many Maltese are hoping for a positive outcome from the Trump-Xi summit.

As the talks begin, Malta’s eyes are on Beijing. But its ears are also tuned to Washington. Because in today’s interconnected world, what happens in these two superpowers can have a direct impact on this small island nation in the Mediterranean.