Trump arrives in Beijing for summit on Iran, tariffs and tech
Donald Trump was greeted by Vice-President Han Zheng as he lands in the capital, ahead of high-stakes talks with Xi Jinping on the Iran war, semiconductor competition and Taiwan.
US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a two-day summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a US leader to the Chinese capital since 2017. The trip, originally scheduled for March, was delayed due to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, which continues to impact global markets.
Upon disembarking from Air Force One, Trump was greeted by Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng on the tarmac. The presence of one of China’s top leaders was interpreted as a show of respect from Beijing, contrasting with the lower-level reception Trump received during his previous visit in 2017. A red carpet was rolled out for the arrival, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the meeting.
The US delegation includes high-profile figures from the technology sector, including Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, alongside Trump’s son, Eric Trump. Trump stated on social media that his "very first request" to Xi Jinping would be for China to "open up" to allow US tech leaders to operate freely. He described Xi as a leader of "extraordinary distinction" and expressed hope that these executives could help bring the People's Republic to a "higher level."
A central focus of the summit is the war in Iran. China relies heavily on Iranian oil, but exports have been effectively cut off due to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing faces growing pressure from the US to use its influence as Tehran’s largest trading partner to de-escalate the conflict. The two leaders are expected to discuss how China can leverage its longstanding alliance with Iran to address the disruption to global energy supplies.
Trade and security issues also dominate the agenda. Trump is expected to push for increased Chinese purchases of US agricultural products, while Beijing seeks pressure on Washington to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods. Tensions over Taiwan remain a critical backdrop, with the Trump administration taking a mixed approach that includes approving a major arms deal while downplaying commitments to defend the island against Chinese aggression. The summit is viewed by analysts as a potential tipping point in superpower relations, occurring as current dynamics are perceived to favour China.
