BEIJING, May 15 — Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to meet on Friday as a two-day state visit concludes in Beijing, marked by ceremonial grandeur, trade discussions, and renewed tensions over Taiwan.
BEIJING, May 15 — Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to meet on Friday as a two-day state visit concludes in Beijing, marked by ceremonial grandeur, trade discussions, and renewed tensions over Taiwan.
The visit, Trump’s first to China since 2017, comes amid efforts to ease strained US-China relations, the world’s most significant strategic and economic rivalry. He is seeking tangible outcomes that could bolster his political standing ahead of upcoming midterm elections.
The two leaders are scheduled to share tea and lunch before Trump departs for the United States.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed optimism, saying he hoped relations between the two countries would become “stronger and better than ever before.”
The summit is focused on maintaining a fragile trade truce reached during their last meeting in October, which included tariff suspensions and China stepping back from restrictions on rare earth exports.
Trump is also expected to press China to help encourage Iran toward a settlement to end ongoing conflict, though his domestic position has been weakened by legal and economic pressures at home.
A US briefing on Thursday noted that both sides shared interest in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and that China may consider increasing purchases of US oil to reduce reliance on Middle Eastern supplies.
Trump also told Fox News that China had agreed to buy 200 Boeing aircraft, though this was lower than earlier market expectations and caused Boeing shares to fall after reports of larger potential orders.
However, tensions were highlighted by Xi’s warning on Taiwan during a closed-door meeting lasting over two hours, where he cautioned that mishandling the issue could push relations into a “very dangerous place.”
Taiwan remains a major flashpoint in US-China relations, with Beijing claiming the self-governed island while the US continues to support its defence capabilities.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan was discussed but noted both sides reiterated their positions without escalation.
At public events, Trump described the summit as potentially “the biggest ever,” while Xi stressed the importance of stabilising US-China relations, calling them the most critical bilateral ties globally.
Xi also said trade discussions had produced “balanced and positive outcomes,” with expectations of progress on trade mechanisms and aircraft purchases.
Separately, US officials said Trump raised concerns over jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, with Washington expressing hope for a positive outcome regarding his case. — Reuters
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