Trump-Xi Summit Underway in Beijing: Positive Early Tone on Trade, Taiwan, and Iran as Business Leaders Join Delegation

BEIJING — President Donald Trump’s high-stakes state visit to China opened Wednesday evening with elaborate pageantry and moved into substantive talks Thursday, as both leaders sought to stabilize relations amid ongoing U.S. sanctions on Chinese firms linked to Iran and persistent tensions over trade and Taiwan.

Trump landed in Beijing late Wednesday and received a full red-carpet welcome, including a motorcade route lined with illuminated “Beijing Welcome” displays. The delegation accompanying him includes a powerful group of American CEOs: Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and several other top executives from the technology, aviation, and agriculture sectors.

On Thursday morning, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a formal welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People beginning at 10 a.m. local time. The event featured national anthems, a review of People’s Liberation Army honor guards, and Chinese schoolchildren waving American and Chinese flags. The two presidents then held nearly two hours of private bilateral discussions.

Topics included extending the fragile October 2025 trade truce to avoid renewed tariff hikes, U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Beijing’s continued purchases of discounted Iranian oil during the ongoing Middle East conflict, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and competition in artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology. Trump described the early sessions as “great” and praised China as “beautiful.” Xi called the U.S.-China relationship “the most important bilateral relationship in the world.”

No major new agreements were announced after the first day of talks, but officials from both sides described the atmosphere as constructive and business-focused. Trump later toured the historic Temple of Heaven with First Lady Melania Trump.

This evening, the two presidents are scheduled to attend a formal state banquet at the Great Hall of the People. Friday’s agenda includes a working tea, lunch, and additional meetings before Trump departs Beijing.

The summit marks the most significant high-level engagement between the two nations since the 2025 trade truce. The Trump administration continues to impose sanctions on Chinese companies accused of supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including firms involved in oil purchases and dual-use technology transfers. U.S. officials say they will press China to reduce its economic ties to Tehran and help stabilize global energy markets.

Administration goals for the trip also include boosting American exports in agriculture, energy, and aircraft while addressing concerns over Chinese trade practices and intellectual property. Chinese officials are expected to seek assurances on tariffs and greater access to U.S. markets.

The visit occurs as the fragile Iran ceasefire holds and as both nations navigate domestic political pressures ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. While expectations for dramatic breakthroughs remain modest, both sides hope the meetings will keep communication channels open and prevent further escalation in economic or security disputes.