Trump, Xi Convene in Beijing Amid Trade Tensions, Iran War

BEIJING (Day.News) — President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands outside Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning local time, kicking off a two-day summit overshadowed by trade disputes, the U.S. war with Iran and tensions over Taiwan. The leaders' first face-to-face meeting since their October 2025 encounter in Busan, South Korea, drew a lavish welcome with a brass band, marching troops and children waving U.S. and Chinese flags. Trump, on his first China visit as president in a decade, brought a high-profile business delegation including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook. "We're going to have a fantastic future together," Trump told reporters before departing Washington on Tuesday, emphasizing trade as the top priority. Xi, in translated remarks, called for partnership over rivalry, expressing hope that 2026 ushers in a "new chapter" for bilateral ties. At the heart of discussions is an extension of the Busan truce, which paused China's export controls on rare earths and critical minerals until October 2026. U.S. officials aim for new purchase commitments in aerospace, agriculture and energy sectors. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said on May 10 that Americans can expect "more good deals," while Trump praised the executives as "the best in the world" eager for reciprocal trade. Beyond economics, Trump is pressing Xi on the Iran conflict, hoping Beijing urges Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and on Taiwan and artificial intelligence competition. A Trump administration official noted Beijing's interest in tariff relief and advanced AI access, amid efforts to prevent Chinese leverage over rare earth supplies vital for U.S. tech and defense. After bilateral talks, the leaders toured the Temple of Heaven and attended a state banquet. This seventh Trump-Xi summit occurs as global markets watch the world's two largest economies. The prior trade war's scars linger, with U.S. farmers still seeking stronger Chinese demand for soybeans and other goods discussed in earlier calls.