Xi Jinping and Donald Trump Begin Two-Day Summit in Beijing with Diplomatic Gestures and Trade Discussions
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump commenced a two-day summit in Beijing on May 14, 2026, marked by an elaborate welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. The event featured a military display, a 21-gun salute, and both national anthems. Discussions focused on trade, Taiwan, and broader diplomatic relations.
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Although at odds over issues like trade and Taiwan, the U.S. and Chinese leaders met in Beijing with a show of friendly gestures.
We have put together stories from our coverage of Xi and Trump’s meeting in Beijing. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Thucydides Trap, personal touches – all you need to know from Xi-Trump summit so far The two leaders began the day with an extravagant welcome on the steps of the Great Hall of the People before heading in for talks. 2. After fanfare and banquet, day 1 of Trump’s China visit draws to a close Xi and Trump are expected to discuss the...
President Trump and China’s leader, Xi Jinping, exchanged pleasantries and also tackled areas of contention like Taiwan and trade.
Xi Jinping and Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone at the start of their two-day presidential summit in Beijing, even as the Chinese leader highlighted risks surrounding Taiwan. Pre-summit trade talks “produced generally balanced and positive outcomes”, Xi told the US president at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday, according to Xinhua. “This is good news for the people of the two countries and the world.” Trump repeatedly called Xi a “great leader” in opening comments at the...
Chinese President Xi Jinping has begun closed-door talks with his American counterpart Donald Trump following an elaborate welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Here are some highlights from Thursday morning. High-level reception Beijing pulled out all the stops for Trump. The welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People featured a military display, a 21-gun salute, and both national anthems played by a Chinese military band. Dozens of Chinese schoolchildren jumped and...