Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a high-stakes two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Washington seeks stronger economic ties and progress on trade relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump was accompanied by a delegation of prominent US business leaders, including Jensen Huang and Elon Musk, during the first visit by a US president to China in nearly a decade.
The US president received a lavish welcome upon arrival, with Chinese dignitaries, a military honour guard and students waving American and Chinese flags greeting him as he disembarked Air Force One in Beijing. Trump acknowledged the crowd by raising his fist and smiling before departing in his motorcade.
Ahead of the summit, Trump signalled that his main priority would be encouraging China to expand opportunities for American companies operating in the country. In a post on Truth Social, he said he would ask Xi to “open up” China so US businesses could increase investment and trade.
The delegation accompanying Trump largely represents companies seeking improved access to the Chinese market. Nvidia, in particular, has faced challenges securing approval to sell its advanced H200 artificial intelligence chips in China. Reports suggest Trump personally invited Huang to join the trip at short notice.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing was prepared to “expand cooperation, manage differences and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world”.
Meanwhile, US trade negotiator Scott Bessent concluded preparatory discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in South Korea before Trump’s arrival. Chinese state media described the talks as “candid, in-depth and constructive”.
The summit is expected to cover trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Trump is also expected to urge China to encourage Tehran to negotiate with Washington to help ease tensions in the Middle East.
China reiterated its opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan, while the US maintained that it remains legally committed to supporting Taiwan’s defence capabilities despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with the island.
During the visit, Trump and Xi are scheduled to attend a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People and tour Beijing’s historic Temple of Heaven.