Trump China Visit Live Updates: 'Xi said China won't send military help to Iran,' claims Trump after meet

US President Donald Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People for a high-stakes summit, according to AFP.

The two leaders shook hands after Trump arrived in a motorcade, where senior US officials including Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth and business leaders such as Elon Musk were present.

Political divisions within Donald Trump’s Republican Party are becoming more visible as concerns grow in Washington over the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Although Senate Republicans once again blocked Democratic efforts to halt military operations, the vote revealed increasing unease among conservatives about the direction of the war.

Republican senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Rand Paul all voted against the conflict, joining Democrats in opposing continued military action. The legislation ultimately failed by a narrow margin, but the result highlighted growing discomfort within Trump’s own party.

Vice President JD Vance said the administration was making progress in diplomatic discussions linked to the conflict, though he stopped short of predicting a breakthrough. Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi Jinping is taking place against this backdrop of domestic political pressure. Analysts say the president may be seeking support from China to reduce tensions in the Gulf region while also demonstrating that he remains focused on international diplomacy despite growing criticism at home.

Artificial intelligence and strategic minerals are expected to become major flashpoints during talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing. Washington and Beijing are locked in an increasingly intense technological rivalry, with both governments imposing restrictions designed to limit the other’s access to critical resources and advanced technology. China has curbed exports of rare earth minerals vital for manufacturing electronics, electric vehicles and military equipment, while the United States has blocked China from obtaining cutting-edge AI chips. The issue has become especially sensitive for companies such as Nvidia, whose technology is central to the global AI boom. Trump’s delegation includes several technology executives who are hoping for eased restrictions and improved market access. At the same time, Beijing remains wary of American efforts to contain China’s technological rise. Analysts say the outcome of these discussions could shape the future of global supply chains and determine how quickly artificial intelligence industries develop in both countries. The summit is therefore being watched not only by political leaders but also by investors and technology firms across the world.

Donald Trump enters talks with Xi Jinping facing mounting political and economic pressure at home, making the Beijing summit one of the most important foreign visits of his presidency. The ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel has damaged consumer confidence and contributed to rising inflation in the United States. Trump has acknowledged that trade will be his main focus during the summit, as he seeks economic victories that could strengthen his political standing. Analysts say securing Chinese commitments to purchase more American agricultural goods and aircraft would provide a major boost for the White House. The president has repeatedly spoken about his personal rapport with Xi, even joking that he expected a “great big hug” from the Chinese leader. However, the China Trump is visiting today is seen as far more assertive than the country he visited in 2017. Beijing has expanded its influence globally while becoming increasingly confrontational on issues such as Taiwan and technology controls. Trump’s critics argue that the summit carries significant risks if he appears too eager for economic concessions or weakens long-standing US positions on regional security matters.

Donald Trump arrived in Beijing accompanied by some of America’s most influential business figures as he seeks to secure major commercial agreements during his summit with Xi Jinping. Among those travelling with the president were Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk, underlining the importance of technology and trade in the talks. Trump reportedly personally invited Huang to join the trip after learning he had initially not been included in the delegation. The visit comes at a time of growing competition between the US and China over artificial intelligence, semiconductor exports and advanced technology. Nvidia’s role has become especially important due to US restrictions on advanced AI chip exports to China. Trump is expected to push for expanded opportunities for American companies in the Chinese market while also seeking agreements on agricultural and aircraft purchases. Wall Street investors are watching the summit closely, with technology stocks already reacting positively to news of Huang’s participation. Analysts say the presence of leading executives reflects Trump’s belief that economic diplomacy and personal relationships with business leaders can help stabilise US-China relations despite ongoing political disputes.

Donald Trump’s announcement that he plans to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping has raised concern among American allies and officials in Taipei. Washington has long maintained a policy of supplying defensive weapons to Taiwan while avoiding direct consultation with Beijing on the matter. Trump’s remarks therefore mark a potentially significant shift in tone ahead of his meeting with Xi. China views the self-governing island as part of its territory and strongly opposes any foreign military support for Taipei. The issue remains one of the most sensitive areas in US-China relations. Ahead of Trump’s arrival in Beijing, senior Democrats in the US House of Representatives urged the president not to weaken Washington’s commitment to Taiwan. In a letter, lawmakers called on Trump to proceed with planned arms sales worth $14 billion and resist any attempt by Beijing to dictate American policy towards the island. Analysts say even small changes in wording during the summit could have major geopolitical consequences across the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan’s government and US allies such as Japan are expected to closely monitor the outcome of discussions between the two leaders.

The ongoing Iran conflict is expected to complicate Donald Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping as Washington seeks greater Chinese involvement in efforts to calm tensions in the Persian Gulf. Trump said he expected a “long talk” with Xi about Iran, though he insisted the United States did not need Beijing’s help to deal with Tehran. However, senior US officials have taken a more conciliatory tone. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington hoped China would play a “more active role” in persuading Iran to change course. China remains Iran’s largest oil customer, purchasing much of Tehran’s sanctioned crude exports, giving Beijing considerable influence. The Iran war has already disrupted Trump’s foreign policy agenda and forced the postponement of the Beijing summit earlier this year. At home, the conflict has contributed to inflation and political pressure on the White House. Vice President JD Vance said the US was making progress in negotiations over Iran but admitted it remained unclear whether enough progress had been achieved to satisfy Trump’s demand that Iran never obtain a nuclear weapon. The issue is likely to become one of the defining tests of the Beijing summit.

Trade tensions are expected to take centre stage as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing for talks aimed at preventing another escalation in the economic conflict between the United States and China. The two leaders are expected to discuss extending the one-year tariff truce they agreed during their last meeting in South Korea in October. Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports last year triggered retaliatory levies from Beijing, with duties on some goods rising above 100 per cent. Since then, businesses on both sides have struggled with disrupted supply chains and falling trade volumes. American companies have begun shifting production away from China, while Chinese exporters have increasingly turned towards Europe and Southeast Asia. Trump has travelled to Beijing with a delegation of top business executives, including Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Tesla boss Elon Musk, in a sign that economic agreements remain central to his agenda. Trump said he would urge Xi to “open up” China to American firms, particularly in agriculture and aviation. Chinese officials have welcomed the visit, but experts say deep mistrust remains between Washington and Beijing despite both sides recognising the economic damage caused by the prolonged tariff war.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set for a high-stakes meeting in Beijing on Thursday, with trade, Iran and Taiwan expected to dominate discussions between the world’s two largest economies. Trump arrived in China on Wednesday for a two-day summit that both sides hope can stabilise an increasingly tense relationship. The American president received a grand welcome in Beijing, complete with a red carpet ceremony and a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People. The visit marks the first by a US president to China in nearly a decade and comes at a politically sensitive moment for Trump, whose approval ratings have been hit by the Iran conflict and inflation concerns at home. Trump is hoping to secure major business deals involving agriculture and aircraft sales while also extending a tariff truce agreed with Xi last year. However, long-running disagreements over Taiwan, rare earth exports and artificial intelligence continue to cast a shadow over the summit. Beijing has signalled a willingness to “manage differences”, but analysts say the talks could determine the future direction of US-China ties and global markets.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to hold high-stakes talks in Beijing on Thursday, with trade, Iran and Taiwan expected to dominate discussions between the world’s two largest economies.

Xi is expected to welcome Trump with full state honours at the Great Hall of the People, including a formal banquet and cultural events during the two-day summit. Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday alongside senior US business leaders, including Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, as he seeks major business agreements with China.

The visit marks the first by a US president to China in nearly a decade since Trump’s 2017 trip. Relations between Washington and Beijing have worsened sharply since then, particularly over tariffs, technology and Taiwan.

Trump said he expected a “long talk” with Xi about Iran and trade, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington hoped Beijing would pressure Tehran over tensions in the Gulf.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade, technology, Taiwan and the Iran war, receiving an unusually high-level welcome from China.

Trump was received at the airport by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, greeted with a military guard of honour and welcomed by hundreds waving US and Chinese flags.

Top US business leaders including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang are accompanying Trump, highlighting the summit’s focus on trade and technology ties.

“I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic,” Trump said ahead of the talks.

US President Donald Trump has said he does not expect to need China's help to end the war in Iran and ease ?Tehran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, in remarks made before ?he arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a summit with President Xi Jinping.

Speaking before departing from Washington, Trump played down ?the role China could have in resolving the conflict, in which both sides have blocked maritime traffic through a waterway that normally carries one-fifth of the world's oil supplies.

"I don't think we need any help with Iran. We'll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise," he told reporters.

Trump’s 2017 China visit now feels like a different era, before trade wars, Covid-era tensions and sweeping tech restrictions reshaped US-China relations.

As Trump returns to China, he faces a far more self-reliant and confident Beijing. Over the years, China has reduced dependence on the US market, expanded global trade ties and accelerated efforts in AI, green technology and advanced manufacturing.

The rivalry between the two powers has only deepened, but Beijing now appears more assured of its global standing. After pushing back against US tariffs and leveraging its dominance in rare earth supply chains last year, Xi Jinping is likely to project China as an equal to the US during this week’s summit.

China is pushing back against the proposed U.S. MATCH Act, which aims to restrict Chinese chipmakers and tighten global AI-related export controls. The bill, currently moving through the U.S. Congress, is expected to be discussed during high-level China–US talks this week ahead of a Trump–Xi meeting.

Beijing has criticised the legislation, warned of countermeasures if it becomes law, and reportedly raised concerns with U.S. diplomats. Chinese officials argue the bill would undermine international trade rules and amount to coercive technological containment.

The MATCH Act seeks to close export-control loopholes by pressuring allied countries like Japan and the Netherlands to restrict chipmaking equipment sales to China, potentially impacting firms such as ASML and Tokyo Electron.

China has also signalled legal and regulatory retaliation tools, including its “Malicious Entity List.”

“Congress understands how important it is for the United States to win the AI race with China -- and Beijing understands its chipmaking industry is extremely vulnerable to American export control,” said Ryan Fedasiuk, a former US State Department adviser.

Top Chinese and US negotiators discussed “resolving” trade friction between their economies as they met on Wednesday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met in South Korea for “economic and trade consultations,” Chinese state media reported.

The two sides held “a candid, in-depth and constructive exchange on resolving economic and trade issues of mutual concern and further expanding practical cooperation,” Xinhua news agency said.

China’s commerce ministry shared the Xinhua report on its official website without elaborating on the issues discussed.

Trade is expected to be one of the key topics when Trump and Xi meet in China on Thursday and Friday.

Washington and Beijing last year imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on each other’s exports, with levies exceeding 100 per cent.

Trump and Xi agreed on a year-long truce at a meeting last October in South Korea, and expanding that deal is expected to be on the agenda this week.

“Economic security is national security,” Bessent said while announcing his South Korea trip on social media.

Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week is being presented as a capstone moment aimed at highlighting the president’s influence on global affairs.

However, while Chinese ceremonial displays are expected to portray him as an honoured statesman, the visit also comes against a backdrop of challenges linked to his decisions, including a war with Iran that he has been unable to conclude, which critics say could weaken his authority and US influence.

The summit takes place in a global environment shaped by what critics describe as heightened instability under the American president, making it unlike any meeting between US and Chinese leaders since President Richard Nixon brought China into the global diplomatic system in the 1970s.

US–China summits have traditionally focused on maintaining stability in what is now the world’s most important bilateral relationship. However, Trump is described as disrupting that consistency, with critics arguing he has turned the US into a major source of global uncertainty.

He has also reduced reliance on long-standing pillars of American global leadership, including free trade, alliances, and an international system that has historically benefited Washington. Supporters view this as a demonstration of US power and independence, while critics see it as weakening key advantages at a time when China is emerging as a stronger global competitor.

The president’s lack of a clear outcome in Iran, along with wider economic consequences from the conflict, has raised questions about US power that China may seek to use to its advantage. Iran’s rejection of Trump’s push for a deal has also been seen as undermining his negotiating position.

The conflict also presents both risks and opportunities for China. While Washington expects Beijing to influence its partners in Tehran, disruptions such as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could put pressure on the US side. Any Chinese diplomatic support, analysts suggest, could come with conditions related to trade or issues such as Taiwan.

“These are not the strategic conditions you would want to have going into a major power summit,” a former senior US official said.

Edgard Kagan, Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the Iran conflict introduces uncertainty into a summit otherwise designed around economic issues led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

As US president Donald Trump prepares for his first visit to China in nearly nine years, attention is turning beyond the summit agenda to the symbolism surrounding his itinerary.

A key focus is expected to be Beijing’s historic Temple of Heaven, a centuries-old imperial complex traditionally associated with ritual, cosmic order and authority.

The site, once used by Ming and Qing dynasty emperors for sacred ceremonies and prayers for harvests, is seen as a powerful backdrop underscoring the diplomatic and political messaging around the high-profile visit, as cited by South China Morning Post.

The Chinese Embassy in the United States restated its position on key sensitive issues in China–US relations, saying that certain matters represent “four red lines” that must not be crossed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to China from May 13 to 15.

In a post on X, the Embassy said, "The four red lines in China-US relations must not be challenged." In an image accompanying the post, it identified them as 'The Taiwan Question', 'Democracy and Human Rights', 'Paths and Political Systems' and 'China's Development Right.'

The sense in Beijing is that it is entering the upcoming talks with a strong position.

Chinese officials and sources familiar with internal thinking told CNN in recent weeks that China views the United States’ costly conflict with Iran and the approaching US midterm elections as an opportunity to gain leverage in negotiations.

Beijing’s immediate priority is to stabilize the trade truce reached in South Korea. However, it is also expected to use its large domestic market and its dominance in the rare earth supply chain to push for broader strategic objectives.

Among the potential demands, according to Chinese sources and regional diplomats, could be easing US restrictions on high-end technology exports.

China is also expected to press the United States to modify its approach to Taiwan by shifting from “non-support” to explicit “opposition” to Taiwan independence, while also seeking reductions in US arms sales to the island.

At the same time, Beijing is likely to push for greater access for its companies, including electric vehicle makers, into the US market, along with the removal of certain firms from US blacklists.

Within China, US President Donald Trump is seen as keen to secure visible economic wins for domestic audiences, including large Chinese purchases of US agricultural goods and Boeing aircraft. Chinese analysts believe this perception could give Beijing additional leverage in the talks.

The timing of the visit is also notable, as Trump is set to travel to Beijing on Wednesday for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Since Trump’s last visit nearly a decade ago, China has changed significantly. In response to rising tensions with the US, Beijing has expanded a state-led push to strengthen self-reliance across supply chains and advanced technology sectors.

Chinese officials now argue that the country’s resilience through global shocks—including energy disruptions and trade tensions linked to US tariffs—reflects the success of these efforts. The rise of domestic capabilities in AI, green energy, and robotics is increasingly seen in Beijing as proof that US restrictions have accelerated China’s technological growth.

For Xi, maintaining a stable relationship with the United States remains central, with officials emphasizing that “head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-US relations,” according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

China has also sought to position itself as a potential mediator in the Iran conflict, which Beijing sees both as a diplomatic opening and a complication, given Washington’s urgency to de-escalate.

Beijing is aware of divisions within the US over how to handle China, with some officials favoring a harder stance while Trump has been described as more transactional in approach.

“There are a “lot of advantages to us getting along,” Trump said in a radio interview Tuesday.

Chinese officials see the Iran situation as a factor that could shape negotiations, with Beijing aiming to turn its mediation narrative into diplomatic goodwill. Ultimately, if the visit results in more stability between the two powers, China would view it as a success.

US President Donald Trump said NVIDIA President and CEO Jensen Huang was travelling aboard Air Force One to China alongside several major American business leaders, rejecting a report that claimed the Nvidia chief had not been invited.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said, “CNBC incorrectly reported that the Great Jensen Huang, of Nvidia, was not invited to the incredible gathering of the World's Greatest Businessmen/women proudly going to China.”

“In actuality, Jensen is currently on Air Force One and, unless I ask him to leave, which is highly unlikely, CNBC's reporting is incorrect or, as they say in politics, fake news!” he added.

Trump described Huang’s presence on the trip as “an Honor” and said several prominent executives were joining the delegation on the China visit.

He listed Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Tim Cook of Apple, Larry Fink of BlackRock, Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, Kelly Ortberg of Boeing, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, Sanjay Mehrotra of Micron Technology and Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm among those accompanying him.

“It is an Honor to have Jensen, Elon, Tim Apple, Larry Fink, Stephen Schwarzmann, Kelly Ortberg (Boeing), Brian Sikes (Cargill), Jane Fraser (Citi), Larry Culp (GE Aerospace), David Solomon (Goldman Sachs), Sanjay Mehrotra (Micron), Cristiano Amon (Qualcomm), and many others journeying to the Great Country of China,” Trump said.

He also said he planned to raise economic opening measures with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit.

“I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to 'open up' China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People's Republic to an even higher level!” Trump said.

President Donald Trump has said he expects a “big, fat hug” from Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two meet in Beijing this week, even as several major disputes continue to strain relations between the two countries.

Key issues expected to dominate discussions include Taiwan, tariffs, rare earth minerals, and the ongoing conflict in Iran. The talks come at a sensitive moment in US-China relations, with both sides holding sharply different diplomatic styles and strategic priorities.

Trump, known for his outspoken and informal approach to international relations, contrasted sharply with Xi’s reserved and carefully controlled communication style. The difference has been especially visible in the lead-up to the meeting.

In April, Trump predicted that Xi would greet him with a “big, fat hug” upon arrival in Beijing, adding that the two countries were “working together smartly, and very well.”

China, however, only confirmed the visit earlier this week, reflecting its typically cautious and low-profile approach to diplomatic announcements.

Despite these differences, China’s foreign ministry said on Monday that it views leader-to-leader diplomacy as having an “irreplaceable strategic guiding role” in shaping US-China relations, signaling the importance Beijing places on direct engagement between the two presidents.

The summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing has reignited discussion around the revival of “G2” diplomacy — the idea that the world’s two largest powers could jointly shape the global political and economic order.

The high-stakes, two-day meeting comes six months after Washington and Beijing brokered a temporary trade war truce and at a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict involving Iran. The summit was originally planned for March but was delayed due to tensions surrounding the US-Israeli military campaign.

President Trump is expected to use the talks to seek Chinese participation in an “international operation” aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz after disruptions severely impacted global energy supplies and Chinese crude oil imports. In return, President Xi is likely to push for concessions related to tariffs, rare-earth mineral restrictions, and U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

The renewed focus on cooperation between Washington and Beijing has revived interest in the “Group of Two” or G2 framework, first proposed in 2005 by economist C. Fred Bergsten. The idea promoted closer coordination between the United States and China to stabilise markets and address major global challenges. It gained momentum during the administration of former President Barack Obama through the Strategic and Economic Dialogue launched in 2009.

Discussion around G2 diplomacy intensified after Trump and Xi met in Busan last October and agreed to roll back certain trade restrictions. Trump later described the meeting as “12-out-of-10” and publicly referred to it as a “G2” engagement, signalling a growing acknowledgement of China’s superpower status.

However, the possible return of G2 diplomacy has raised concerns among traditional US allies, particularly in Europe, where leaders fear bilateral deals between Washington and Beijing could weaken multilateral institutions and sideline their own economic and strategic interests.

US President Donald Trump said he is ready to discuss American weapons sales to Taiwan during his visit to China this week, while also expressing confidence that his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping could help prevent conflict over the island.

Trump will travel to Beijing from Wednesday to Friday for talks expected to focus heavily on trade and economic ties. The White House said the delegation will include leading US business executives such as Elon Musk and Tim Cook.

Asked whether the United States should continue selling weapons to Taiwan, Trump did not give a direct answer but said: “I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi.”

“President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion. That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Referring to tensions surrounding Taiwan, Trump also said: “I don’t think it’ll happen.”

“I think we’ll be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows I don’t want that to happen,” he added, while noting that the United States was “very, very far away” compared to China.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry responded by saying it would “continue to strengthen cooperation” with the United States and “build effective deterrence capabilities in order to jointly maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing’s position, saying that “China’s opposition to the United States’ sale of weapons to China’s Taiwan region is consistent and clear.”

Trade and economic cooperation are expected to dominate discussions between Trump and Xi during the Beijing summit.

Trump has repeatedly said he wants to reduce tensions that emerged after last year’s tariff disputes and China’s restrictions on rare earth minerals.

Officials from both countries are also expected to explore the possibility of creating a new “Board of Trade” aimed at preventing future economic conflicts and improving long-term business relations.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing for a closely watched summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting comes at a sensitive time for global politics and the economy, with tensions rising over trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and conflicts in the Middle East. Leaders from both countries are expected to discuss ways to stabilise relations while protecting their own strategic interests.