Trump Lands in Beijing With Top CEOs as Xi Talks Focus on Trade, AI and Iran War
US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a crucial three-day state visit that is expected to shape the future of US-China relations , global trade, technology supply chains and geopolitical stability amid growing international uncertainty.
Trump’s visit, scheduled from May 13 to May 15, comes at a time of heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies over tariffs, semiconductor restrictions, Taiwan, Artificial Intelligence, rare earth minerals and the ongoing Iran conflict . Analysts believe the summit is aimed at preventing relations from slipping into a deeper economic and strategic confrontation while restoring some stability to global markets.
The US President received an unusually grand welcome upon landing in Beijing. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng personally received Trump at the airport, a rare diplomatic gesture seen as a sign of the importance Beijing has attached to the visit. A military band played as Trump descended from Air Force One alongside his son Eric Trump and daughter-in-law Lara Trump, while nearly 300 Chinese youth waved American and Chinese flags and chanted greetings.
Trump is expected to hold multiple rounds of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping , focusing heavily on trade negotiations and strategic issues. Ahead of the summit, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent completed another round of trade discussions in South Korea.
Although a full-fledged Free Trade Agreement is not expected, both countries are reportedly discussing an extension of the trade truce reached in late 2025 along with the creation of a new US-China Board of Trade to manage disputes and improve economic coordination.
The summit has also drawn global attention because of the influential business leaders accompanying Trump. The delegation includes Elon Musk , Tim Cook , Jensen Huang , and Larry Fink .
Their presence highlights the growing importance of technology and AI competition in US-China ties. Nvidia’s inclusion is particularly significant because advanced semiconductor chips have become central to the global AI race. China wants broader access to AI chips, while Washington is seeking stable supplies of rare earth minerals critical for defence systems, electric vehicles and advanced electronics.
Beyond trade and technology, the summit is also focused on the Iran war and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz , a key global energy route. Ahead of Trump’s arrival, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Beijing for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi . China, the world’s largest importer of Iranian oil, is increasingly concerned about instability in West Asia and its impact on global energy markets.
Taiwan is also expected to feature prominently during the discussions, with Beijing continuing to oppose US arms sales to Taipei and increasing military pressure around the island.
Chinese officials have described the summit as an opportunity to “expand cooperation” and “inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world.” For global markets, any progress on tariffs, AI cooperation, energy security or supply chains could have far-reaching consequences for economic stability worldwide.