Trump Arrives in China for High-Stakes Talks with Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump touched down in Beijing on Wednesday (May 13) for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Donald Trump is visiting China after nearly nine years.

The state visit, running from May 13 to 15, marks one of the most significant diplomatic engagements between Washington and Beijing in recent memory, as both powers seek to stabilise a relationship strained by trade disputes, technology rivalries and competing strategic interests.

The timing adds further weight to the talks, with global tensions—particularly across West Asia—sharpening the stakes on security and economic cooperation.

Trump arrived alongside a delegation of prominent American business leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla chief Elon Musk, signalling the administration’s intent to press for greater market access and fewer commercial restrictions for US firms operating in China.

Ahead of his departure, Trump said he would urge Xi to “open up” China to American business, describing the executives in his delegation as innovators capable of driving meaningful economic cooperation between the two nations.

On Truth Social, he wrote, “I am very much looking forward to my trip to China, an amazing Country, with a Leader, President Xi, respected by all. Great things will happen for both Countries!”

Huang’s inclusion has drawn particular attention. Nvidia continues to navigate significant regulatory headwinds, with export restrictions curtailing the sale of its advanced AI chips in China, and reports suggest Trump personally asked Huang to join the trip at the last minute.

On the Chinese side, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing was prepared to “expand cooperation, manage differences and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world,” stressing the importance of dialogue grounded in equality and mutual respect.

Chinese officials also stated the value of direct leader-to-leader engagement, describing head-of-state diplomacy as playing an “irreplaceable role” in steering bilateral relations through a period of global uncertainty.

The summit agenda is expected to stretch well beyond trade, with discussions likely to span the Iran conflict, Taiwan, technology restrictions, regional security and broader economic coordination between the world’s two largest economies.

According to Reuters, Trump’s itinerary includes a ceremonial reception at the Great Hall of the People, a visit to the historic Temple of Heaven and a state banquet hosted by President Xi.