US President Donald Trump Arrives in Beijing
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing, marking the first visit to China by an American leader since his own previous trip during his first term in 2017.
He is scheduled for two days of discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. These talks were initially planned for March but were postponed following US and Israeli military actions against Iran.
Purpose of the Visit
The primary focus of the discussions is expected to be the strained trade relationship between the United States and China.
Trump stated he would ask Xi to "open up" China's economy to major technology companies.
He also anticipated a "long talk" about Iran, though he emphasized that he did not require China's assistance to resolve the conflict.
Trump remarked that Xi had been "relatively good" on Iran, describing the trip as "exciting" with "a lot of good things are going to happen".
Conversely, Xi is expected to advocate for the cessation of US arms sales to Taiwan and seek an extension of the trade truce established in October, which halted tariff escalations between the two nations.
Chinese media commentary suggests Beijing is aiming for a "better future" with the US and a relationship that would "add more stability and certainty" to an unpredictable global environment.
Itinerary and Activities During the Visit
Trump arrived in Beijing on Air Force One on Wednesday evening local time, ahead of the main events commencing Thursday.
The US president is anticipated to participate in an arrival ceremony with Xi at the Great Hall of the People, followed by bilateral talks between the two leaders.
A state banquet is planned later at the same venue.
On Friday, Trump will visit Zhongnanhai, the exclusive compound where China's top leaders reside and work. This visit will include a "friendship photo" and handshake with Xi.
Following another bilateral meeting and a working lunch with Xi, Trump will attend a departure ceremony before returning to the United States.
Accompanying Delegation
Trump is accompanied by CEOs from major US businesses and technology companies on this official trip to Beijing.
Among those joining are Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Tim Cook of Apple, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Larry Fink of BlackRock, as well as executives from Meta, Visa, JP Morgan, Boeing, Cargill, and others.
The late inclusion of Huang is notable, as Nvidia's advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips are a significant element in the US-China rivalry.
Huang was not initially listed but was personally invited by Trump and was seen boarding Air Force One during a stopover in Alaska.
Current Status of Tariffs
The tariff issue has somewhat diminished since 2025, a year when China and the US appeared close to a trade war.
Nonetheless, substantial discussions remain necessary as a permanent resolution has not been reached.
Trump is expected to urge China to increase purchases of goods from critical US industries, including soybeans and aircraft parts.
China holds a position of strength with record export levels but continues to rely on the US consumer market.
Xi is also expected to pressure the US to halt a recently announced trade investigation into unfair business practices.
Additional Topics for Discussion
Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Taiwan would be addressed during the summit to prevent the issue from escalating tensions between the US and China.
China has similarly emphasized Taiwan as a priority. On Wednesday morning, a Chinese official reaffirmed Beijing's opposition to US military ties with Taiwan and arms sales to the island.
Despite Trump's assertion that he does not require China's help to end the Iran conflict, it is widely anticipated he will encourage Beijing to persuade Tehran to reach an agreement.
China is keen to see an end to the war and is quietly attempting to act as a peacemaker, according to BBC China correspondent Laura Bicker, as the conflict adversely affects China's export-dependent economy.
Another significant issue between the two powers is artificial intelligence, where the rivalry has been likened to a nuclear arms race. Both sides seek communication channels to avoid conflict.
According to BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher, a deal could be reached with China offering rare earth elements in exchange for high-end computer chips used in programming advanced robotics.
