US Democrats criticize lavish Trump-Xi summit as lacking substance

In a statement signed by ​at least 19 of the 47 members of the Democratic ⁠caucus and seen by Reuters, the Democrats called on Trump to ​immediately deliver more than $15 billion in security assistance — $1.3 billion in funds ​and a $14 billion arms sale package — that Congress has approved for Taiwan and to push for human rights and the release of wrongfully detained Americans.

Some of Trump's fellow ​Republicans also marked the summit by calling on Trump to release the ​funds for Taiwan. The Democrats also criticized Trump's loosening of restrictions on high-end chip sales ‌to ⁠China, and said that the extension of the US-China tariff truce does not sufficiently address supply chain issues such as China's hold on global rare earth refining.

"We will compete successfully with China only through sustained ​investment in our ​own strengths, ⁠close coordination with allies, and an unwavering defense of our democratic values," the statement said.

Democrats are typically critical ​of Trump's policies, but their response to the ​summit gave ⁠an indication of how party members might address Beijing if they take control of one or both houses of Congress in the November 3 ⁠midterm ​elections.

Polls show that Trump's Republicans will struggle ​to keep their slim majorities in Congress in the upcoming contest, as the president's approval ​rating drops.