“The Trump Xi summit opened in Beijing on Thursday as both leaders attempted to ease tensions over trade, Taiwan and technology restrictions.”
Leaders meet at Great Hall while trade, Taiwan and global instability dominate closed door talks
Beijing– US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchange unusually warm public remarks Thursday during a closely watched summit in Beijing, with both leaders publicly pushing cooperation despite years of escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump arrived at the Great Hall of the People for his first China visit since returning to office, receiving a ceremonial military welcome before meeting Xi behind closed doors. Chinese state media heavily broadcast the handshake and photo session, framing the meeting as a stabilizing moment during a volatile stretch in global politics.
“We should be partners, not rivals”, Xi said during opening remarks, warning against confrontation between Washington and Beijing. He also referenced the “Thucydides Trap” a phrase often used by Chinese officials to describe the risk of war between rising and dominant powers.
Trump responded with personal praise for Xi. “We’ve had a fantastic relationship”, Trump said. “Such respect for China, the job you’ve done. You’re a great leader.”
Taiwan and Trade Loom Over Talks
While the public tone stayed friendly, the summit unfolded against deep disputes over Taiwan, semiconductor restrictions, tariffs and military competition in the Pacific.
Reports have shown that rare earth minerals, AI technology controls and trade access were central parts of the negotiations. Taiwan was also expected to dominate private discussions, according to regional analysts and diplomatic reporting ahead of the meeting.
Xi told Trump the entire world was watching the talks closely and described 2026 as a potential “historic landmark year” for US-China relations.
The Chinese president also warned against rivalry between both powers, saying cooperation would benefit global stability.
CEOs Join Delegation
Several top American business leaders travelled with Trump’s delegation, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The business presence underscored the economic stakes surrounding the summit. US-China trade remains worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually despite years of tariffs and export restrictions.
No formal agreements were announced Thursday. Neither side released details about possible tariff reductions, semiconductor concessions or military understandings following the talks. Still, global markets were watching closely. Any shift in US-China relations could ripple through shipping routes, AI investment, chip manufacturing and supply chains already strained by conflicts in the Middle East and ongoing economic uncertainty.
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