Trump, Xi Set For Long Talks As Superpower Summit Opens In Beijing

Donald Trump was expected in Beijing on Wednesday for the first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade, as he pushes to strengthen trade ties despite possible tensions surrounding Taiwan and Iran.

Before departing Washington on Tuesday for the three-day state visit, Trump said he anticipated having a “long talk” with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Iran, which depends heavily on China as the leading buyer of its US-sanctioned oil.
Despite the sensitive issue, Trump downplayed any major disagreement with Beijing over Iran, describing Xi as having been “relatively good, to be honest with you.”
“I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other. We’ll win it peacefully or otherwise,” Trump told journalists while leaving the White House.
The trip marks Trump’s first visit to China since 2017 and is expected to feature major discussions with Xi on Thursday and Friday. Activities lined up include a state banquet and a tea reception.
On Monday, Trump disclosed that he would discuss US arms sales to Taiwan — the self-governing island claimed by China — with Xi, signaling a shift from previous US policy that avoided consulting Beijing over support for Taiwan.
Other issues expected to dominate the talks include China’s restrictions on rare earth exports and the broader trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Security measures ahead of the summit were already visible across Beijing on Tuesday, as police officers monitored major intersections and carried out ID checks on subway passengers, according to AFP journalists.
A 24-year-old traveler from Nanjing identified as Wen Wen described Trump’s visit as significant, expressing optimism that both countries could achieve “lasting peace” despite current global tensions.
Trade relations between Washington and Beijing have remained strained in recent years. Both nations are currently observing a one-year pause in their tariff dispute agreed upon during Trump and Xi’s last meeting in South Korea in October.
China’s trade surplus with the United States has long been a source of frustration for Trump, who imposed tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term in office.
The White House also confirmed that Trump would travel with several prominent American business leaders, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook.
The summit comes as China’s economy continues to battle slow domestic consumption and a prolonged debt crisis affecting its property sector.
Li Jiahao, a 30-year-old karaoke bar manager in Beijing, said the visit alone would not automatically resolve the challenges in China-US relations, although he remained hopeful for “positive results.”
“Coming here and actually resolving the issues are two different things,” he said.
He added that both countries carry responsibilities as global powers and stressed that mutual friendship could encourage stronger development.
The ongoing Iran war — launched by the United States and Israel on February 28 — has further complicated relations between Beijing and Washington.
On Monday, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities, including some based in Hong Kong, accused of helping facilitate the sale and transportation of Iranian oil to China.
Responding to the sanctions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated on Tuesday that “China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions.”
Meanwhile, Taiwan is expected to closely monitor Trump’s visit for indications of any shift in US support.
Trump maintained on Monday that his personal relationship with Xi would discourage any Chinese military action against Taiwan.
“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 said.
AFP