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On Thursday, President Donald Trump was warmly welcomed at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People before engaging in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The agenda includes addressing their delicate trade truce, Iran tensions, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
Given his declining approval ratings due to Middle East conflicts, this trip — the first U.S. presidential visit to China since 2017 — carries heightened importance. Accompanying him are several CEOs, such as Elon Musk and Jensen Huang, aiming to resolve U.S.-China issues. Trump has indicated his initial request to Xi will be to “open up” China’s market to American industry.
The two leaders began their two-day summit with a formal welcome outside the grand ceremonial building, where Xi greeted Trump on the red carpet amid smiles and handshakes. A brass band played national anthems, and officials, soldiers, and children holding flowers and flags from both nations lined the pathway. Trump was seen occasionally patting Xi on the back as they proceeded together.
Since Trump’s last visit, the global power balance has shifted. Ali Wyne, senior adviser on US-China relations at the International Crisis Group, notes that back then China was eager to showcase its rising stature through lavish gestures and importing billions of U.S. goods. Now, the U.S. appears to be acknowledging that status on its own initiative. Trump notably revived the “G2” concept, referring to the world’s two superpowers, during a 2017 meeting in South Korea.
The summit’s schedule includes meetings at The Great Hall of the People, a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site Temple of Heaven, and a state dinner on Thursday. On Friday, the leaders plan to share tea and lunch, according to White House sources.
However, Trump arrives with some constraints. U.S. courts have limited his ability to impose tariffs freely on Chinese exports. The ongoing Iran conflict has also contributed to rising inflation and fueled concerns that Republicans might lose control of Congress in the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, although China’s economy faces challenges, Xi faces fewer domestic pressures.
Despite these factors, both nations aim to sustain the prior trade agreement from October, in which Trump paused tariffs on Chinese goods and Xi eased restrictions on critical rare earth elements essential for electric vehicles and military products. Discussions are also expected to include initiatives to promote mutual trade and investment, with an eye toward artificial intelligence cooperation.
The U.S. hopes to boost exports of Boeing aircraft, agricultural products, and energy to China to reduce its long-standing trade deficit, while China seeks freer access for its chips and advanced semiconductor exports. Concerns beyond trade include urging China to persuade Iran to settle its conflicts with the U.S., although analysts doubt Xi will press Tehran hard, given Iran’s strategic importance to China as a counterbalance to American influence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that China has a vested interest in helping resolve the Iran crisis, as many Chinese ships are stuck in the Gulf, and a slowdown in global trade would harm Chinese exporters.
Regarding Taiwan, which China claims as its own, Xi will likely prioritize U.S. arms sales. China reaffirmed its opposition to scheduled sales of arms worth $14 billion, which remain pending approval by Trump. Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. is legally obliged to provide Taiwan with defense capabilities.
Ronan Fu of Taiwan’s top think tank suggests Trump doesn’t hold many cards but believes Trump perceives the situation differently. Fu posits that Trump won’t let Beijing dictate terms without concessions.
Xi is expected to reciprocate with a visit to the U.S. later this year — his first since Trump’s reelection in 2025.
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