Trump Arrives in Beijing for High-Stakes Summit with Xi Jinping
President Trump landed in Beijing on May 13 for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade, the Iran war, and Taiwan, bringing a delegation of major US tech CEOs including Elon Musk and Jensen Huang. The summit aims to extend a fragile trade truce and address tensions over Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which is disrupting global energy supplies.
Trump's Beijing Arrival
President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who are expected to discuss trade, the war with Iran and Taiwan. Trump was accompanied on the trip by executives from some of America's most valuable companies, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia boss Jensen Huang.
Key Meeting Agenda
The leaders of the world's two largest economies are due to meet on Thursday and Friday during Trump's first visit to China since 2017, with talks expected to focus on trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and the war involving Iran. The Trump administration hopes to begin establishing a Board of Trade with China to address differences between the countries.
Focus on Iran Crisis
Along the sun-splashed streets hugging Beijing's Second Ring Road, residents cast wary eyes toward President Donald Trump's visit to China, and what many believe will be his most urgent request of Chinese leader Xi Jinping: help reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts expect Washington to press Beijing to use its influence over Tehran, particularly because China remains the largest buyer of Iranian oil — by far — purchasing more than 80 percent of Iran's shipped crude exports.
Taiwan Concerns
The status of Taiwan also will be a major topic as China is displeased with U.S. plans to sell weapons to the self-governing island, which the Chinese government claims as part of its own territory.
Sources
- https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/live-blog/trump-china-xi-nebraska-wv-election-results-congress-iran-live-updates-rcna344525
- https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/5/13/trump-and-xi-to-meet-in-beijing-the-key-issues-shaping-the-china-summit
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-live-trump-and-xi-hold-meeting-as-china-state-visit-begins