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Trump China Visit Live Updates: 'Xi said China won't send military help to Iran,' claims Trump after meet

US President Donald Trump’s return to China after nine years marked the beginning of one of the most closely watched diplomatic me...

The Times of India | May 14, 2026, 23:14:07 IST

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23:14 (IST), May, 14

President Trump arrives at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing for a tour with President Xi

21:34 (IST), May, 14

Trump says Xi assured China would not send military equipment to Iran

Donald Trump said Xi Jinping assured him that China was not supplying military equipment to Iran, following an exchange of letters between the two leaders ahead of their summit talks.

21:33 (IST), May, 14

Trump says China agrees to order 200 Boeing jets

Donald Trump said China has agreed to purchase 200 aircraft from Boeing, marking a major commercial breakthrough during his ongoing visit to Beijing.

20:51 (IST), May, 14

Trump says Xi stressed would not send military equipment to Iran, reports AFP

20:24 (IST), May, 14

US-China summit sees media scuffle, security tensions on sidelines

Tensions flared on the sidelines of the Trump-Xi summit as travelling US media teams clashed with Chinese security personnel and officials during multiple events.

At the Great Hall of the People, reporters rushed to capture visuals as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping prepared for talks, with chaotic scenes and expletive-filled exchanges caught on camera while Chinese security repeatedly ordered journalists to move back.

The friction continued later during the leaders’ visit to the Temple of Heaven, where US press access was delayed for nearly 30 minutes after Chinese officials initially refused entry to a Secret Service agent carrying a weapon. American staff and reporters were also briefly stopped from joining the official motorcade before being allowed through. In one video from the scene, an American official was heard telling Chinese staff: “You guys have been terrible hosts.”

19:40 (IST), May, 14

'United and together': Trump lauds historic US-China ties, frames partnership as 'most consequential' in global history

Against the grand backdrop of the state banquet at the Great Hall of the People hosted by Xi Jinping, Donald Trump highlighted the “close and historic” ties between the US and China, projecting warmth and stability after a day of intense high-level talks.

Describing the discussions as “extremely positive and productive,” Trump thanked Xi for what he called the “great honour” of an elaborate and “magnificent” welcome ceremony earlier in the day.

Placing the relationship in a broader historical context, Trump said the US-China partnership was “one of the most consequential relationships in world history.” He referenced centuries of engagement between the two nations — from merchant Samuel Shaw’s trade links in the 18th century to Benjamin Franklin’s admiration for Confucian thought — and also mentioned President Theodore Roosevelt’s role in supporting the institution that later became Xi’s alma mater.

18:52 (IST), May, 14

Trump will say more on Taiwan 'in the coming days,' says Bessent

"It wouldn't be a US-China summit without the Taiwan issue coming up," Bessent, who is with Trump in China, told US business news network CNBC, adding: "I'm sure we'll be hearing more from him in the coming days."

"President Trump understands the issues here and understands the sensitivities around all this. Anyone who has been saying otherwise does not understand the negotiating style of Donald Trump," Bessent said.

17:34 (IST), May, 14

Xi warns Trump on Taiwan at Beijing summit

"The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations," Xi said, according to remarks published by Chinese state media shortly after the start of the talks, which lasted two hours and 15 minutes.

"If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation," Xi added.

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16:17 (IST), May, 14

'Appreciation ran in both directions,' says Trump in China

"The appreciation ran in both directions. Chinese admirers of President George Washington gifted a stone tablet honouring his memory to adorn the Washington Monument. It bears the words of a Chinese official who called the great General and Statesman, a hero among men," he said.

16:09 (IST), May, 14

'Relationship between the American and Chinese people goes back all the way back to America's founding,' says Trump

"The relationship between the American and Chinese people goes back all the way back to America's founding. The first American consul to China, Samuel Shaw arrived on the first American trading ship to reach these shores in 1784...Two and a half centuries later, that first connection has grown into one of the most consequential relationships in world history," he said.

15:59 (IST), May, 14

Trump says talks with Xi 'extremely positive and productive'

15:55 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Xi calls US-China ties 'most important relationship'

Chinese president highlighted the importance of the relationship and said that they should 'never mess it up'.

15:47 (IST), May, 14

Trump had 'good meeting with Xi, says White House

15:05 (IST), May, 14

'US, China should be partners not rivals': Key takeaways from Trump and Xi's much-watched summit

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday struck a warm and optimistic tone during their high-stakes meeting at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, with both leaders stressing cooperation over confrontation despite tensions over trade, technology and regional security.

Xi rolled out red carpet and put up a ceremonial military guard of honour for his American counterpart Donald Trump.


14:34 (IST), May, 14

White House says, 'Trump, Xi agreed Strait of Hormuz 'must remain open'

"The two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy," the White House said.



14:02 (IST), May, 14

US clears H200 chip sales to 10 China firms

The United States has approved around 10 Chinese companies to purchase Nvidia's H200 artificial intelligence chips, but no deliveries have taken place so far, as citied by ANI.


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13:37 (IST), May, 14

US has reiterated its 'clear and firm' support: Taiwan on US President's visit

Taiwan's cabinet spokeswoman, Michelle Lee, on Thursday emphasised that the US has repeatedly been in support of the sovereign status of Taiwan, according to Al Jazeera.

In her remarks to the reporters, she said that the US has "repeatedly reaffirmed" its support for Taiwan.

13:26 (IST), May, 14

Chinese President Xi says China-US economic ties are win-win in nature

According to the Chinese official news agency Xinhua, Chinese President Xi Jinping told US President Donald Trump during their talks that economic ties between China and the United States are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature,

12:59 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Taiwan says China is 'sole risk' to regional peace, stability

Taiwan's foreign ministry said Thursday that China is the "sole risk" to regional peace and stability, after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Donald Trump that the issue of Taiwan could lead to conflict.

"The Beijing authorities are currently the sole risk to regional peace and stability," the ministry said in a statement, highlighting China's "military harassment" and grey-zone activities around Taiwan and the region as evidence, and adding that "Beijing has no right to make any claims on behalf of Taiwan internationally."

12:50 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump, Xi hold talks in the ‘biggest summit ever’


US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping began on Thursday what Trump termed as the “biggest summit ever” to discuss a wide range of issues, including the war in Iran and bilateral trade frictions.

Trump, who arrived in Beijing last night to a rousing reception, told Xi in their first meeting on Thursday that he looks forward to a "big discussion" with him.

"There are those who say this is maybe the biggest summit ever," Trump said in his opening remarks while having talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"When there were difficulties, we worked it out," Trump said.

"We're going to have a fantastic future together," said the US president, who is on a three-day state visit to China.

Trump repeatedly called Xi a great leader, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The first meeting between the two leaders lasted for more than two hours.

12:31 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump, Xi discussed Middle East, Ukraine, Korean Peninsula


US President Donald Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping discussed the war in the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict, and issues on the Korean Peninsula when they met in Beijing on Thursday, the Chinese government said.

"The two heads of state exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis, and the Korean Peninsula," according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout.

11:54 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: China's 'four red lines' for Donald Trump

11:43 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Xi congratulates US for coming 250th anniversary of independence

The Chinese leader took a moment to note the coming anniversary — something that is a big deal for US President Donald Trump.

The massive months-long celebration is to include a “Great American State Fair” in Washington and a UFC fight night on the South Lawn of the White House.

“This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. I extend my congratulations to you and to the American people,” Xi said. He added, “I firmly believe the common interests between China and the United States are bigger than our differences.”

11:27 (IST), May, 14

'It's great — a great place': Donald Trump in China

11:23 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: China draws ‘four red lines’ for US ties as Trump visits Beijing



The Chinese Embassy in the United States on Wednesday restated its position on sensitive issues in China–US relations, saying that certain matters are “four red lines” that must not be crossed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to China from May 13 to 15.

In a post on X, the embassy said, “The four red lines in China-US relations must not be challenged.” An accompanying image listed them as: “The Taiwan Question,” “Democracy and Human Rights,” “Paths and Political Systems,” and “China’s Development Right.”

11:15 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: China 'will open wider' doors to world - Xi to US business leaders


Chinese President Xi Jinping told a delegation of US business executives that China would "open wider" to the world during US-China talks in Beijing on Thursday.

"China's doors to the outside world will open wider and wider... American companies will enjoy even brighter prospects in China," Xi said, Chinese state media reported.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla boss Elon Musk were among the business leaders who travelled to China with US President Donald Trump.

11:02 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump-Xi meeting finishes, says White House official

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping wrapped up talks in Beijing on Thursday, a White House official confirmed.

The talks, which lasted more than two hours, saw the pair tackle thorny issues including Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island claimed by Beijing.

10:52 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump’s China trip comes amid Iran crisis and broader geopolitical uncertainty



US President Donald Trump’s trip comes at a time when Iran continues to dominate his domestic agenda, with growing concerns over a potential slowdown in the US economy as the political season ahead of November’s midterms begins to heat up.

The US-Israel conflict with Iran has reportedly led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving oil and gas tankers stranded and pushing up global energy prices, raising fears of a broader impact on economic growth.

Meanwhile in Washington, the politics of the war have become more complicated. Senate Republicans once again blocked Democratic efforts to pass legislation aimed at halting hostilities in Iran. However, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska broke ranks, becoming the third Republican senator to vote against continuing the war.

10:44 (IST), May, 14

It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend.

 

- Donald Trump to Xi Jinping

10:41 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump offers platitudes while Xi warns of possible confrontation during China summit


President Donald Trump told Xi Jinping on Thursday that “it’s an honor to be your friend,” even as his Chinese counterpart offered warnings about avoiding a possible clash between the two nations during their much-watched bilateral meeting.

The stark contrast in tone underscored just how far apart the leaders remain on thorny issues including the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington’s relationship with Taiwan — and suggested that Trump and Xi’s highly anticipated meetings are likely to be longer on pageantry and symbolism than major breakthroughs.

The meeting was behind closed doors, but the official Xinhua news agency reported that Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is not handled correctly, the US and China risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy."

That followed public opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People, where Trump was full of platitudes, saying of Xi, “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”

“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said before promising that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”

Xi was darker in his opening remarks, expressing hope that the US and China can avoid conflict while saying that history and the world were asking “whether the two countries can transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new model for relations between major powers.”

10:31 (IST), May, 14

Xi’s stark message to Trump: Avoid 'Thucydides Trap', don’t 'mishandle' Taiwan issue

10:24 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump-Xi high-stakes meeting ends after nearly two hours


The high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has concluded, Chinese state media Xinhua reported.

The talks lasted just under two hours.

10:07 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Taiwan confident US policy on island will remain unchanged during Trump-Xi talks

Taiwan has said it is confident that US policy toward the Beijing-claimed island will remain unchanged during the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but added that it is still preparing for “surprises.”

Foreign minister Lin Chia-lung told lawmakers this week that US officials have repeatedly said, both publicly and privately, that Washington’s Taiwan policy remains unchanged, according to Taiwan’s government-funded Central News Agency.

The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with self-ruled Taiwan, but remains its most important international supporter and largest arms supplier.

09:56 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump heralds 'fantastic future' for US-China

US President Donald Trump on Thursday told China's Xi Jinping their countries would have "a fantastic future together", as they held a superpower summit in Beijing on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan.

Heaping praise on his host, Trump told Xi it was "an honour to be your friend", as the Chinese leader, in less effusive tones, said the two sides "should be partners and not rivals".

Xi had greeted Trump with a red carpet welcome at the opulent Great Hall of the People with military band fanfare, a gun salute and a host of schoolchildren jumping and chanting "welcome!".

The trip to Beijing is the first by a US president in nearly a decade, with the grand reception belying a host of unresolved trade and geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

09:54 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Elon Musk, Tim Cook among CEOs accompanying Trump at China summit

US President Donald Trump attended the Beijing summit accompanied by top global business leaders, including Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Larry Fink.

According to NBC news, the delegation of CEOs was part of the closely watched engagement between the United States and China, with the high-level talks drawing significant global attention.

09:52 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Xi urges Trump to avoid ‘Thucydides trap’ in high-stakes Beijing talks

References to ancient Greece were not expected to feature in today’s diplomatic moment, but that is exactly what Chinese President Xi Jinping did while welcoming US President Donald Trump in Beijing.

Xi invoked the idea of the “Thucydides Trap,” referencing an ancient Greek historian, to underline his hope that the US and China can avoid conflict. He said that history, the world, and people everywhere are asking whether the two countries can move beyond great-power rivalry and build a new model for relations between major powers.

09:46 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: 'US, China could come into conflict if Taiwan issue mishandled' - Xi warns Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly warned that if the Taiwan issue is not handled properly, the US and China could come into conflict.

According to Xinhua, Xi cautioned that failure to manage the Taiwan question carefully could lead to direct clashes between the two countries.

The remarks came as US President Donald Trump met Xi in Beijing and was accorded a ceremonial military guard of honour ahead of their high-level talks.

09:40 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit Xi Jinping and Donald Trump hold closed-door talks on trade, tech and global security issues

Closed-door talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump are currently underway, with a broad range of issues set to be discussed over the coming hours and into tomorrow.

Trade: Both sides are expected to try to preserve the October trade war truce and may consider further tariff reductions or establish a formal mechanism, such as a “board of trade,” to manage and facilitate bilateral trade.

Critical minerals: While China paused plans to tighten export restrictions on critical minerals last October, the US is likely to press for more reliable and stable access to these strategically important resources.

Investment and market access: The two countries are expected to explore expanded investment opportunities for their companies in each other’s markets. However, this remains complicated by existing restrictions and US concerns over state-subsidised Chinese industries, including electric vehicle makers. A group of major US business leaders, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, is accompanying Trump.

Technology: China is seeking relief from US export controls on advanced technologies, particularly high-end semiconductors and chip-making equipment.

Chinese purchases of US goods: The US is expected to push for major deals involving Chinese imports of American agricultural products, aviation equipment and energy supplies.

Iran: As a close partner of Tehran and a major buyer of Iranian oil, China may be asked to play a role in easing tensions in the US-Iran standoff. Trump is expected to urge Xi to encourage Iran to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Taiwan: China is expected to raise concerns over US arms sales to Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, and may push for a shift in US language toward “opposition” to Taiwan independence instead of its current stance of non-support. The US has indicated it does not intend to change its position.

09:35 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Xi warns Trump US , China could 'come into conflict' over Taiwan issue

09:13 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Xi warns against US-China conflict during Trump talks; invokes 'Thucydides Trap'

Chinese President Xi Jinping invoked the ancient Greek concept of the “Thucydides Trap” while welcoming US President Donald Trump, using the historical analogy to underline the risks of confrontation between the world’s two biggest powers.

Xi said history, the world and its people were asking “whether the two countries can transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new model for relations between major powers.”

The phrase, widely used in foreign policy circles, refers to the idea that war often becomes likely when a rising power threatens to overtake an established one. The concept originates from the writings of ancient Greek historian Thucydides on the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta. In his account, Thucydides wrote: “It was the rise of Athens, and the fear that rise engendered in Sparta, that made war inevitable.”

09:13 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Musk says ‘many good things’ achieved as Trump-Xi summit begins in Beijing

America’s highest-profile business leaders accompanying US President Donald Trump to Beijing described talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping as positive and productive as the two leaders began their summit at the Great Hall of the People.

Several chief executives were seen leaving the front entrance of the venue on Thursday morning following meetings linked to the summit.

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, described the discussions as “Wonderful.”

Asked by reporters what had been achieved, Musk replied: “Many good things.”

Tim Cook, who is set to step down later this year as CEO of Apple
, flashed a peace sign before giving a thumbs up to reporters.

“Meetings went well,” said Jensen Huang, the leader of Nvidia, as executives walked down the steps toward waiting buses.

“Mr. Xi and President Trump were incredible,” Huang added.

09:09 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: 'Cooperation benefits both sides' - Xi strikes cautious note as US-China talks begin

Amid the warm remarks and expressed optimism over the future of bilateral ties during the high-level US-China talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping also delivered a pointed warning against confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.

“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Xi said during the opening exchanges. Stressing the need for stable engagement, he added that “the two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve success together and pursue common prosperity, and chart a correct path for major-country relations in the new era.”

The remarks came as both sides sought to project a positive tone ahead of discussions expected to focus on trade, strategic competition and regional security issues.

08:58 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: 'In China’s interest to resolve this,' Rubio says US wants Beijing's support on Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington hopes to convince Beijing to play a “more active role” in resolving the Iran war crisis.

Speaking to Fox News aboard Air Force One on the way to Beijing, Rubio said the Iran war was a “huge source of instability” and “threatens to destabilise Asia more than any other part of the world because it’s heavily reliant on the straits for energy”.

“It's in (China’s) interest to resolve this. We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they’re doing now and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf,” he said, according to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

Rubio described Beijing as Washington’s “top political challenge” but said “it’s also the most important relationship for us to manage”.

“(China is) a big, powerful country... We’re going to have interests of ours that are going to conflict with interests of theirs, and to avoid wars and maintain peace and stability in the world, we’re going to have to manage those,” he said.

“There are clearly areas where they’re so important for the United States that we’re going to have to raise those issues. And we’ll continue to do so...There might be some areas of cooperation, too, and we want to make sure we don’t walk away from those,” he added.

Rubio also said the US was “not trying to constrain China, but their rise cannot come at our expense”.

“Their rise cannot come at our fall,” he said.

“When (China's) plan conflicts with the national interest of the United States, we need to do what’s right for the United States. And that’ll come up on this trip, but more importantly, that’ll be a feature of this relationship for a long time,” he said.

08:40 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: ‘The world is watching’ - Xi opens high-stakes summit with Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump back to China after nine years during bilateral talks in Beijing, saying the “whole world” was closely watching the summit between the two global powers.

"Welcome back to China after 9 years. The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, a transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides trap and create a new paradigm of major country relations?"


He added that the two countries have “more common interests than differences” and described a stable China-US relationship as beneficial for the world.

"Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world? Can we, in the interests of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations? These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that you and I need to answer as leaders of major countries... I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other. And a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era."

08:35 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: ‘Fantastic future together'- Trump hails Xi, says US-China ties will be ‘better than ever’

US President Donald Trump said, "The relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before... We're going to have a fantastic future together. I have such respect for China, the job you've done. You're a great leader. I say it to everybody. Sometimes people don't like me saying it, but I say it anyway."

"On behalf of all of the great delegations that we have, we have the greatest businessmen, the biggest and, I guess, the best in the world... I didn't want the second or the third in the company. I wanted only the top. They're here today to pay respects to you and to China. They look forward to trade and doing business, and it's going to be totally reciprocal on our behalf. I really look very much forward to our discussion. It's a big discussion. Those who say this is maybe the biggest summit ever. They can never remember anything like it," he added.

08:32 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: US national anthem played for Trump during Beijing welcome ceremony

08:29 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Xi urges stable US-China ties during meeting with Trump

Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasised cooperation and partnership in his opening remarks during talks with US President Donald Trump in Beijing on Thursday.

Speaking about global uncertainty, Xi referred to the “intertwined turbulence and transformation” in the world and the “profound changes” underway. He said the future of US-China ties would shape global stability and international relations.

“Whether China and the United States can transcend the so-called ‘Thucydides Trap’ and pioneer a new paradigm of major-country relations; whether we can join hands to address global challenges and inject more stability into the world; whether we can respond to the well-being of our two peoples and the future and destiny of humanity, and together create a bright future for bilateral relations — these, it may be said, are questions of history, questions of the world, and questions of the people,” Xi said.

“They are also the answers of our era that you and I, as leaders of major countries, need to write together.”

Xi also congratulated Trump and the United States on the 250th anniversary of American independence and called for closer cooperation between the two nations.

“I have always believed that the common interests between China and the United States outweigh our differences. Each side’s success is an opportunity for the other. A stable China-U.S. relationship is beneficial to the world,” he said.

“When the two sides cooperate, both benefit; when they fight, both suffer. We should be partners rather than opponents, achieve success for one another, prosper together, and forge a correct way for major countries of the new era to get along with each other.”

08:10 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Beijing rolls out the red carpet for Trump’s China return

08:00 (IST), May, 14

Trump China visit: Trump and Xi begin high-stakes meeting in China

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have begun their bilateral meeting in Beijing, where they are expected to discuss key issues including trade, technology and the Iran conflict.

Trump is also expected to urge Xi to help increase pressure on Tehran during the talks. The two leaders walked up the red-carpeted steps into the Great Hall of the People, where the meetings are being held.

07:55 (IST), May, 14

Trump China Visit: Trump, Xi enter Great Hall of the People for high-stakes meeting in Beijing

US President Donald Trump and China's Xi Jinping walked up the red-carpeted steps into the Great Hall of the People, where they are scheduled to hold talks.

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The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing represents a major moment in international diplomacy, bringing together the leaders of the world’s two largest economies during a period of rising geopolitical uncertainty. Held at the iconic Great Hall of the People, the meeting carried both symbolic and strategic significance. China rolled out a grand state welcome for Donald Trump, signalling Beijing’s intention to present the visit as a turning point in China-US relations.

The discussions are expected to focus heavily on trade disputes, semiconductor restrictions, technology competition, tariffs, and tensions surrounding Taiwan. At the same time, broader global concerns — including the ongoing Iran conflict, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty — are shaping the tone of the negotiations. Trump is believed to be seeking Chinese support in reducing tensions linked to Iran while also encouraging stronger trade cooperation.

Xi Jinping used his opening remarks to position China as a supporter of stability and cooperation in an increasingly turbulent world. By emphasising partnership instead of rivalry, Xi attempted to frame the relationship as one built on shared global responsibility rather than confrontation. His repeated references to avoiding conflict and creating a “new paradigm” for major-power relations reflected China’s effort to portray itself as a stabilising force on the world stage.

Trump, meanwhile, focused on economic opportunity and personal diplomacy. His praise for Xi and repeated emphasis on the presence of top American business leaders suggested that trade and investment remain central to Washington’s goals. Trump also projected optimism about future ties, despite years of tension between the two countries.

The tone and outcomes of the summit could influence global markets, diplomatic alignments, and the future direction of US-China relations for years to come. With both leaders presenting unusually warm public messages, the meeting has already become one of the defining geopolitical events of the year.

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