What to Expect from Trump-Xi Summit: A New Cold War, Managed Competition, or Détente?

The Summit of Three Crises: Europe’s Strategic Autonomy Push at a High-Stakes G7

In this week’s episode of What Comes Next, Host and TAG Senior Advisor Mira Rapp-Hooper sits down with TAG Managing Principal Belma Ambrose to unpack a consequential G7 summit unfolding amid three overlapping crises: the war in Iran, the war in Ukraine, and a fragile global economy. They explore how Europe is recalibrating its relationship with the United States, why energy security is overtaking climate as the dominant policy frame, and how China is shaping the summit’s economic agenda — from overcapacity to critical minerals and AI governance. Belma also explains where businesses should watch for opportunity as Europe moves faster on defense and trade diversification.  What Comes Next with Mira Rapp-Hooper is produced by Rivan Dwiastono, executive produced by Lauren Dueck, with editorial input from Prashant Jha. It contains music by Cody Martin via Soundstripe.  What Comes Next is a production of The Asia Group, and is powered by TAG AI, TAG's geopolitical decision engine for businesses.

Asia’s Security Reset: Taiwan, Japan, and the Future of U.S. Deterrence

Is the U.S. signaling a more limited security role in the Indo-Pacific? Host and TAG Senior Advisor Mira Rapp-Hooper sits down with Chris Johnstone, TAG Partner and Co-Chair of Defense & National Security Practice, to discuss an Indo-Pacific region at a strategic turning point. Following Chris’s recent travel through Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore, they break down what the Shangri-La Dialogue revealed about U.S. credibility, allied uncertainty, and the future of deterrence in Asia. They explore Taiwan’s deepening anxiety over arms sales, Japan’s emergence as a more proactive security actor, and how countries across the region are building more diversified, resilient defense relationship in response to a shifting geopolitical environment.  What Comes Next with Mira Rapp-Hooper is produced by Rivan Dwiastono, executive produced by Lauren Dueck, with editorial input from Prashant Jha. It contains music by Cody Martin via Soundstripe.  What Comes Next is a production of The Asia Group, and is powered by TAG AI, TAG's geopolitical decision engine for businesses.

Shangri-La Dialogue: Hormuz, Taiwan, and U.S. Credibility in Asia

As the Shangri-La Dialogue begins, one question hangs over the region: can the United States still reassure its allies and partners in Asia? Host and TAG Senior Advisor Mira Rapp-Hooper sits down with Senior Advisor Kelly Magsamen to break down the signals that will matter most at the summit. They cover the implications of Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, questions over Taiwan arms sales, and how the ongoing Iran conflict is reshaping the strategic environment across the Indo-Pacific. They also examine what allies want to hear from Washington, how China may seek to position itself as the steadier power, and why side meetings may matter as much as the speeches for policymakers and businesses.  What Comes Next with Mira Rapp-Hooper is produced by Rivan Dwiastono, executive produced by Lauren Dueck, with editorial input from Prashant Jha. It contains music by Cody Martin via Soundstripe.  What Comes Next is a production of The Asia Group, and is powered by TAG AI, TAG's geopolitical decision engine for businesses.

Decoding the Trump-Xi Summit Outcome: Constructive Strategic Stability

Host and TAG Senior Advisor Mira Rapp-Hooper brings together two conversations to break down the strategic meaning of the Trump-Xi summit. Mira’s conversation with TAG China Managing Director Han Lin unpacks how Beijing framed the meeting around “constructive strategic stability,” why optics may have mattered more than deliverables, and how China is signaling to multinational firms that it remains open for business. Mira and TAG Managing Principal Brett Fetterly examine what this framework could mean in practice, especially for Taiwan, semiconductors, tariffs, critical minerals, and congressional reaction in Washington. Together, the conversations explore why a summit with modest visible outcomes may still mark a significant shift in U.S.-China relations.  What Comes Next with Mira Rapp-Hooper is produced by Rivan Dwiastono, executive produced by Lauren Dueck, with editorial input from Prashant Jha. It contains music by Cody Martin via Soundstripe.  What Comes Next is a production of The Asia Group, and is powered by TAG AI, TAG's geopolitical decision engine for businesses.

Single Combat: Trump, Xi, and the High-Stakes Summit

As President Trump and President Xi prepare for a closely watched Beijing summit, TAG Chairman and Co-Founder Kurt Campbell joins Host and Senior Advisor Mira Rapp-Hooper to break down why "modest" deliverables can still carry historic consequences. They discuss the likely outcomes — trade, Boeing purchases, and fentanyl precursors — alongside the real strategic risks: Taiwan signaling, semiconductor and AI policy shifts, and the possibility of rhetoric that will spook allies by implying a "G-2" arrangement. Campbell also unpacks why he thinks of the summit as "single combat" and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the choreography, preparation, and optics that can shape perceptions and outcomes. What Comes Next with Mira Rapp-Hooper is produced by Rivan Dwiastono, executive produced by Lauren Dueck, with editorial input from Prashant Jha. It contains music by Cody Martin via Soundstripe.  What Comes Next is a production of The Asia Group, and is powered by TAG AI, TAG's geopolitical decision engine for businesses.