Trump arrives in China alongside tech giants Elon Musk and Tim Cook for a high-stakes summit where trade tensions, artificial intelligence rivalry and Taiwan security concerns are expected to dominate talks with Xi Jinping.
Donald Trump will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening. This will mark the first visit to China by an American president in nearly a decade. He seeks to reclaim the power and prestige that were diminished by the war with Iran.
Trump will bring along tech leaders such as Tesla’s Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook, and plans to orchestrate headline-grabbing deals. He has stated that he hopes Chinese leader Xi Jinping will give him “a big, fat hug” upon his arrival.
The Big Questions Looming Over the Trump-Xi Meeting in China
However, the conflict in the Middle East—which Trump initiated and now appears unable to resolve—will cast a long shadow over the two days of talks, amidst fears that he might attempt to dilute U.S. support for Taiwan—which China claims as its own territory—in exchange for Xi’s assistance.
Before departing the White House on Tuesday, Trump told reporters, “I don’t think we need any help regarding Iran.” He added, “We will win this one way or another—peacefully or otherwise.”
He also sought to downplay differences with Beijing, noting that Xi Jinping had been “quite good” during the crisis and emphasizing that Washington has “kept Iran largely under control.”
The conflict has now entered its third month, with Tehran tightening its grip on the Strait of Hormuz while Washington struggles to transform a fragile ceasefire into a permanent agreement.
Behind the scenes, U.S. officials have spent weeks urging China—Iran’s largest oil customer and one of the few global powers with leverage in Tehran—to pressure the Islamic Republic to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes) and to accept Washington’s terms for peace.
The U.S. recently imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies accused of facilitating Iranian oil shipments and supplying satellite imagery allegedly used in Iranian military operations. China condemned these measures, labeling them “illegal unilateral sanctions,” and invoked a rarely used blocking statute to prohibit Chinese entities from complying with them.
Chinese officials have publicly advocated for stability while carefully avoiding any overt alignment with Washington. Last week in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and defended Iran’s right to develop civilian nuclear energy.
Xi has also openly criticized the U.S. regarding the issue of war. He asserted that the protection of international law is paramount, stating that it “should not be applied selectively or disregarded,” nor should the world be allowed to revert to the “law of the jungle.”
Nevertheless, it appears unlikely that either side will allow the Iran crisis to derail the significant diplomatic and economic engagement expected during the first of four potential meetings between Trump and Xi scheduled for next year.
Both nations remain committed to a fragile tariff agreement reached last autumn, which averted the risk of escalating tensions spiraling into a full-blown trade war. Trump has long complained about China’s trade surplus with the U.S., while Beijing has expressed frustration over U.S. export controls and sanctions.
White House officials stated that Trump will travel accompanied by a delegation of more than a dozen U.S. business leaders—including Musk and Cook—signaling that, despite their strategic rivalry, both governments remain keen on economic cooperation.
The Bloomberg news agency reported that the sale of 500 Boeing 737 Max jets—one of the largest orders in the company’s history—is expected to be announced during this trip. Trump and Xi will also discuss establishing a new Board of Trade to manage what China should purchase from the U.S. and what the U.S. should purchase.
Beijing, too, has reasons to avoid escalating tensions. China’s economy remains weighed down by sluggish domestic demand and a protracted property crisis, while the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz has underscored its heavy reliance on energy supplies from the Middle East.
Trump’s visit will be closely scrutinized in Taiwan to determine whether U.S. support is wavering. On Monday, he stated that he would discuss U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Xi. This marks a departure from the long-standing U.S. stance that it would not consult Beijing regarding its support for Taiwan.
He also emphasized that his personal relationship with Xi would help prevent a Chinese attack on the island. “I think we’ll be fine,” he said. “I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows that I don’t want that.”
Another potential area of focus will be AI, with calls for both nations to collaborate on global standards and safeguards. Independent US Senator Bernie Sanders appealed to Trump and Xi to agree to allow top scientists to share technical information and establish “AI redlines” regarding dangerous behaviors.
Sanders stated: “At the height of the Cold War, Reagan and Gorbachev found a way to negotiate nuclear arms control. The existential risk posed by AI demands nothing less from Trump and Xi.”
In Beijing, security was visibly tightened ahead of the visit; police were deployed at major intersections, and checks within the metro system were stepped up.
The summit’s itinerary includes a formal welcome ceremony, private meetings between the two leaders, and a tour of the Temple of Heaven—a 15th-century religious complex symbolizing the connection between Earth and Heaven. Trump will attend a state banquet on Thursday evening and will then have tea and a working lunch with Xi on Friday before departing.
The US President—who has faced criticism for prioritizing foreign policy over domestic concerns during his second term—will be keen to project strength and frame this visit as a victory.
White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelley told reporters during a call on Sunday: “President Trump cares about results, not symbolism. Nevertheless, the President enjoys a very good relationship with President Xi, and the summit in Beijing will be significant both symbolically and substantively.”
However, the US approach is likely to be practical and transactional, placing little emphasis on structural reforms. Scott Kennedy, Senior Advisor on Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, stated: “China and Xi Jinping are entering this meeting from a stronger position relative to the United States.
“China has certain objectives it seeks to achieve: extending the ceasefire, easing technology restrictions on semiconductor imports, and lowering tariffs. But even if they fail to make significant headway on any of these fronts—provided the meeting does not end in acrimony, prompting President Trump to walk out and attempt to escalate tensions once again—China will, in reality, emerge from the encounter in an even stronger position.”
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