Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed United States President Donald Trump to Beijing on Thursday for a major summit expected to shape discussions around trade, Iran, Taiwan, technology and the future of the global economy.
Xi received Trump at the Great Hall of the People shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time during an elaborate state ceremony that reflected the significance of the meeting despite lingering tensions between both global powers.
The two-day summit is widely viewed as one of the most important diplomatic engagements of the year as both nations attempt to stabilise economic relations while addressing growing geopolitical concerns.
Grand Welcome Ceremony in Beijing
Trump was welcomed with full state honours at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Accompanied by senior US officials, the American president participated in a formal reception that included military displays, national anthems and cultural performances.
Xi also greeted several top members of the US delegation, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has previously been known as a strong critic of Beijing.
As both leaders stood side by side, a Chinese military band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and China’s national anthem while ceremonial cannons fired in the background.
Children waving Chinese and American flags chanted “welcome, welcome” as the leaders walked through the ceremonial square.
The visit will also include a state banquet and a cultural tour of the historic Temple of Heaven.
Trump arrived in Beijing aboard Air Force One on Wednesday evening alongside several influential American business executives.
Among those in the delegation are Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Their presence highlights the economic importance of the summit and Trump’s push for new business opportunities between both nations.
The visit also marks the first trip to China by a sitting US president in nearly a decade since Trump’s previous state visit in 2017.
What The Meeting Means For Both World Economies
The Beijing summit is expected to have major implications for global trade, financial markets, manufacturing and international investment.
The United States and China remain the world’s two largest economies, meaning decisions reached during the talks could influence inflation, supply chains, energy prices and global economic growth.
Trump is expected to push for expanded market access for American companies operating in China, particularly in agriculture, aviation and technology.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he plans to encourage Xi to “open up” China to US firms “so that these brilliant people can work their magic.”
The summit also comes amid ongoing efforts to extend a one-year tariff truce reached by both leaders during their meeting in South Korea last year.
The previous trade war between Washington and Beijing triggered retaliatory tariffs exceeding 100 percent on some goods, disrupting global markets and increasing costs for businesses worldwide.
Economists believe any agreement reached during the summit could help stabilise investor confidence and reduce economic uncertainty across Asia, Europe and North America.
Iran Crisis Expected To Feature In Talks
The worsening tensions surrounding Iran are also expected to dominate discussions between both leaders.
Trump said he anticipated having a “long talk” with Xi regarding Iran, which remains one of China’s largest oil suppliers despite US sanctions.
However, Trump insisted that the United States did not necessarily require Beijing’s support.
“I don’t think we need any help with Iran,” he said.
Secretary of State Rubio, however, suggested Washington hoped China would encourage Iran to ease tensions in the Persian Gulf.
Taiwan and Regional Security Concerns
Taiwan is expected to remain another sensitive topic during the summit.
Trump recently stated that he plans to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi — a move closely monitored by both Taipei and America’s regional allies.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes foreign military support for the island.
Both countries are also expected to discuss artificial intelligence competition, rare earth export restrictions and broader regional security matters.
Global Attention On US-China Relations
The summit is being closely watched around the world as both countries attempt to manage one of the most influential and complicated diplomatic relationships globally.
Analysts say both leaders are seeking strategic wins while avoiding further escalation in trade and geopolitical tensions.
Trump is also expected to seek confirmation of a reciprocal state visit by Xi to the United States later in 2026 as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Beijing.
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