World
Trump arrives in Beijing for high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping amid global tensions
TOPSHOT – People gather to get a view of Air Force One, carrying US President Donald Trump, arriving at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026. (Photo by GREG BAKER / AFP)
United States President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at easing rising tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at 7:50 p.m. (1150 GMT) on Wednesday aboard Air Force One, marking the first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade.
The summit comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Washington and Beijing over issues including trade disputes, Iran, and Taiwan, as well as intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence and technology.
The US president is expected to hold talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday morning, followed by a state banquet later in the evening. A second meeting, including tea and a working lunch, is scheduled for Friday before Trump returns to the United States.
Trump reportedly travelled with key business figures, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla chief Elon Musk, amid growing interest in AI chip technology, which remains a major point of contention between both countries.
Beijing currently faces restrictions on accessing advanced semiconductor technology under US export controls, which Washington says are necessary for national security.
Ahead of the talks, Trump signalled openness to expanding economic cooperation, saying he would urge Xi to “open up” China for greater business opportunities.
The Chinese government, in response, said it welcomes the visit and expressed readiness to expand cooperation while managing existing differences between both countries.
Trade tensions are also expected to dominate discussions, including the ongoing tariff war that has seen both nations impose levies exceeding 100 percent on selected goods. A temporary tariff truce reached during a previous meeting in South Korea is expected to be reviewed.
Issues surrounding Taiwan and US arms sales are also expected to feature prominently, alongside concerns over Iran and broader geopolitical instability.
Despite the tensions, both leaders have expressed cautious optimism, with hopes that the summit could yield progress on key global issues and help stabilise relations between the rival powers.
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