In another big global political week, China welcomes EU leaders to Beijing as the US continues its trade war, the Putin-Trump summit takes place in Helsinki, the Malaysian parliament sits for the first time since Mahathir Mohamad was elected prime minister, and the Brexit drama continues to unfold, all before President Xi Jinping sets off for a five-nation overseas trip.

The 20th China-EU Summit will take place on Monday, against the backdrop of US trade attacks on both Brussels and Beijing. Trade and investment relations will feature prominently when European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker hold talks with Premier Li Keqiang in the Chinese capital. The sides are expected to reiterate support for the multilateral trading system and discuss trade cooperation, while the Iran nuclear deal and the Belt and Road Initiative are also on the agenda.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Friday added extra spice to US President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicting 12 Russian intelligence officers over the hacking of emails during the 2016 presidential election. The Putin-Trump summit in Helsinki on Monday will be watched closely to see if the US president addresses allegations of election meddling, but also to ascertain the state of US-Russia ties after Trump's clash with NATO allies. Putin and Trump are expected to hold one-on-one talks before being joined by aides, with Syria, the Korean Peninsula, and economic relations likely to be major topics of conversation.

President Xi Jinping on Thursday sets off for his first overseas trip since reelection, paying a state visit to the United Arab Emirates before making his way to Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa for further state visits ahead of the 10th BRICS summit in Johannesburg on July 25-27. He will also visit Mauritius for a stopover before returning to China. Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou described the trip as a major diplomatic move to target developing countries against the backdrop of profound changes in the context of international situation.

British Prime Minister Theresa May moves on from one tough week to another. After being hit by high-level resignations over Brexit, a divisive NATO summit and a visit from Trump which didn't go quite to plan, negotiations with the EU – featuring new Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab for the first time – will resume and MPs will debate a controversial customs bill. 

Monday: Premier Li will be joined by European Union leaders in Beijing for the 20th China-EU summit, Trump and Putin meet in Helsinki, the International Monetary Fund releases its latest World Economic Outlook, the Malaysian parliament will begin its first session since Mahathir Mohamad, who will also host Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, was elected prime minister, and Brexit negotiations will resume.

Tuesday: Ukraine, Russia and the EU will hold talks in Berlin on transit of gas between Russia and the European bloc, EU leaders are expected in Tokyo to sign a Japan-EU trade deal, and the TPP11 countries meet in Japan to discuss procedures for accepting new members.  

Wednesday: India's parliament will convene for its annual Monsoon Session, the US House of Representatives' Ways and Means trade subcommittee will hold a hearing on the impact of US trade tariffs on rural communities, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa summit – a 19-member free trade bloc – will begin in Zambia.

Thursday: President Xi will fly to the United Arab Emirates for a state visit, which will be followed by state visits to Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa, attendance at the BRICS 2018 summit in Johannesburg and a "friendly visit" to Mauritius.

Friday: Spain's conservative Popular Party will hold an extraordinary congress to pick a new leader following the resignation of Mariano Rajoy, candidates will begin registering for Brazil's October 7 election, and the Colombian Congress starts its four-year term.

Saturday: Finance ministers and Central Bank presidents from G20 countries meet in Buenos Aires ahead of the 30 November-1 December G20 Summit in Argentina.

Sunday: Xi continues his visit to Africa.