On the eve of a high-stakes summit between two of the world's most consequential leaders, markets stirred with cautious hope. Word that American and Chinese officials had held productive preliminary talks was enough to lift US stock futures and ease anxiety across global trading floors in September 2026. Treasury Secretary Bessent's measured optimism reminded investors that even small signals of goodwill between great powers carry enormous weight — though history has taught that the distance between a promising opening and a durable agreement can be vast.