❐ International Desk
The leaders of the world’s two superpowers — US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping — have met for a historic summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The visit has captured the world’s attention against a backdrop of the Iran war, global energy crisis, Taiwan tensions and trade disputes. The two-day visit saw a rare blend of diplomacy, culture and business talks.
Arrival and grand reception
Trump’s plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport on Wednesday night. When he arrived at Tiananmen Square on Thursday morning, Chinese President Xi Jinping was waiting to greet him. An unprecedented red carpet reception was held in front of the Great Hall of the People.
The ceremony featured a military parade. 300 Chinese children dressed in blue and white welcomed the two leaders, waving American and Chinese flags. The national anthems of both countries were played, and the two leaders inspected the guard of honor together.
China had planned the reception very carefully. According to analysts, it had a strategic purpose — to present China as a global power on par with the United States. The entire event was planned with Trump’s preferences in mind, and Trump was clearly delighted with it.
US delegation’s cybersecurity warning
Before leaving for China, White House officials were warned about the serious cybersecurity risks. Members of the delegation, including the US Secret Service, were given burner phones (unregistered phones that can be used once and thrown away) and devices with new numbers. Even those new devices were warned that they could be hacked.
Most US officials have either left their personal devices at home or locked them in secure bags on the plane. One US official said they were told to assume all communications could be hacked while in China.
Bilateral meeting: main discussion
The bilateral meeting between the two leaders began at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday morning and lasted more than two hours and fifteen minutes, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV confirmed.
Opening remarks
Xi began his speech by outlining the global situation. He said the world was at a “new critical juncture.” He added that the United States and China “should be partners, not adversaries” and should work together to address global challenges.
In his opening remarks, Xi cited an observation by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides. He asked whether the United States and China could overcome the “Thucydides Trap,” a theory that says that when a rising power challenges an established superpower, conflict is inevitable. Xi said the two of them should write the answer to this question together.
Trump, for his part, called Xi a “great leader” and said, “It’s an honor to be your friend.” He described the relationship as “great” and said, “China-US relations will be better than ever.”
The Iran war was the focus of the meeting
Xi’s promise
The most important aspect of the meeting was the Iran issue. Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in an interview that Xi had promised that China would not provide any military equipment to Iran. Trump said, “He said he would not provide any military equipment to Iran. That’s a big deal. He said it today and he said it very strongly.”
Trump also said that Xi had offered to help resolve the Iran crisis. According to Xi, “If I can help in any way, I want to do that.”
But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said otherwise. He told NBC News, “We didn’t ask for China’s help. We don’t need their help.” He said Iran brought up the issue because the US position needed to be made clear.
Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important oil supply routes — is now under Iranian control, deepening the global energy crisis. Trump said Xi wants to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In a humorous remark, Xi said, “You know, they closed it, and then you stopped them.”
The White House statement said that both sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain free and that China opposes militarization and tolling of the strait.
At the same time, 26 countries in a joint statement supported a multinational military operation to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. These countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Qatar and South Korea, also expressed support for the mine clearance operation.
China’s “Teapot Refinery” and Iran’s Economic Lifeline
Small independent refineries in Shandong province, hundreds of miles from Beijing — known as “Teapot Refineries” — have been processing Iranian oil despite sanctions. These refineries operate with Beijing’s permission and help prop up Iran’s economy. The issue now comes directly to the Trump-Xi negotiating table.
Trump acknowledged that Xi said China buys “a lot of oil” from Iran and they want to continue to do so.
Taiwan: The most sensitive issue
Xi made it very clear that the Taiwan question is “the most important issue in China-US relations.” According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, he warned that if the issue is not properly handled, the two countries could be embroiled in conflict and the entire China-US relationship would be in an “extremely dangerous situation.”
Xi also said, “Taiwan independence and peace in the Taiwan Strait are contradictory — like fire and water.”
William Yang, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said Xi was essentially trying to convince Trump that Taiwan is the issue that could “make or break” China-US relations.
However, the White House statement made no mention of Taiwan, which analysts say indicates that the two leaders have not reached any meaningful consensus on the issue. Trump did not respond to reporters’ questions about Taiwan twice during his tour of the temple.
Taiwan’s cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee said in a statement, “China’s military threats are the only source of insecurity in the Taiwan Strait and the wider Indo-Pacific region.”
US Secretary of State Rubio made it clear that US policy on Taiwan remains “unchanged”.
Trade and Economy: A Light of Hope
Boeing contract
In a notable achievement of the meeting, Trump announced that Xi had agreed to buy 200 Boeing planes. “What he agreed to today is 200 planes — 200 big Boeings,” Trump said. He added that Boeing itself had wanted 150, but the deal was for 200. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant also hinted at the deal.
Customs situation
Last year, tariffs on Chinese goods rose to 145 percent in the US-China trade war. A temporary truce, which was set to expire in November after the Trump-Xi summit in South Korea in October, came into effect. The meeting signaled further talks on the tariff structure. Besant said some tariffs on about $30 billion in “non-critical” goods were being discussed.
However, the negotiations have become somewhat complicated after the US Supreme Court in February partially declared Trump’s massive tariff imposition illegal.
AI and technology
Besant said the two countries have agreed to create a joint protocol to develop artificial intelligence technology, so that non-state actors do not get their hands on the technology. “The world’s two AI superpowers will start talking — we will create a framework for AI best practices,” he said.
Board of Investment and Soybeans
Besant also said there have been discussions about forming an investment board that would help identify Chinese investments in non-sensitive US sectors. He also said that existing soybean sales contracts would remain in place.
China’s trade record
China recently set a record for exports in April — a 14.1 percent increase year-on-year. The growth was driven by demand for artificial intelligence-powered chips and exports of green technology products. Exports to the United States also rose 11.3 percent. China’s economic success has further strengthened Xi’s negotiating position.
The presence of American industrialists
Trump is accompanied by top American business leaders in Beijing, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, Citi CEO Jane Fraser and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman.
Trump told Xi, “I invited 30 of the top people in the world. Not one said no. They came here to pay their respects to you and to China.”
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a separate meeting with American CEOs. He said, “China’s door is opening more and more. American companies will find broader prospects in China.”
Elon Musk’s viral moment
Elon Musk became one of the most talked about figures at the meeting. Standing in front of the Great Hall of the People, he slowly walked around with his phone in hand, filming. The clip was viewed millions of times. Many on social media joked, “Mask is like a stork in the crowd.” Musk himself responded with a laughing emoji.
Musk also took a selfie with Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun. Musk became a hot topic of discussion on Chinese social media throughout the visit.
Security concerns
Earlier in the day, US officials faced some embarrassing situations. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant was temporarily stopped at the entrance to the Great Hall because he did not have the correct badge. In the video, Chinese guards can be seen shouting “Pin, pin” at him in English. He was later allowed inside after someone brought him a badge.
There was also a brief scuffle between Chinese security personnel and members of the two US delegations.
Journalists were delayed for about half an hour when they entered the Temple of Heaven after Chinese security refused to allow a US Secret Service agent carrying a weapon to enter. After lengthy negotiations, a compromise was reached and the journalists were able to enter without missing any of the action.
Rubio’s name controversy
Secretary of State Marco Rubio entered China in 2020 despite being banned by China while he was a senator. Some on social media were saying that China changed the Chinese translation of his name to allow him entry. However, CNN reports that this is probably not true. Inside the Great Hall, Rubio stared up at the ceiling in surprise — a video that also went viral.
Visit the historic Temple of Heaven
After the meeting, the two leaders visited Beijing’s historic Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the early 15th century where Chinese emperors once prayed for good harvests.
The two leaders were seen walking side by side. Xi briefed Trump about the location. Trump’s son Eric Trump also accompanied him on the visit.
Chinese diplomats chose the site for specific reasons. The temple is associated with frequent visits by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, whom China considers an “old friend.” By choosing the site, Beijing has expressed its desire to build a stable and long-term relationship.
Trump said of the temple, “It’s great. A wonderful place. China is really beautiful.” When reporters asked about Taiwan, Trump avoided answering the question.
State banquet: End of the day
In the evening, a grand state banquet was held in the Great Hall of the People. The tables were decorated with ornate floral arrangements. One table had a detailed model of the Temple of Heaven, surrounded by ponds, green gardens, and swans. The waiters were dressed in traditional red Chinese robes.
Menu
The menu was designed with Trump’s familiar tastes in mind — lobster in tomato soup, crispy beef ribs, Beijing roast duck, seasonal vegetable broth, salmon with mustard sauce and pan-fried pork buns. The dessert list included snail shell-shaped pastries, tiramisu and fruit and ice cream.
Speeches by two leaders
“The people of China and the United States are both great nations,” Xi said in his speech. “China’s national rejuvenation and the dream of making America great again can go hand in hand.” He added, “The China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. It must be made effective and can never be destroyed.”
Trump highlighted the historical ties between the two countries in his speech. He said that 250 years ago, American merchant Samuel Shaw traded with China, Benjamin Franklin quoted Confucius in his newspaper, and President Theodore Roosevelt helped found Shear University. He joked, “Just as many Chinese now like basketball and jeans, there are more Chinese restaurants in America than the top five fast-food chains combined.”
Trump described the day’s talks as “very positive and productive” and invited Xi and his wife, Madam Peng, to the White House on September 24.
IMF’s warning and welcome
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the conference. “We are clearly moving from a best-case scenario to a worst-case scenario,” said Julie Kozak, a spokeswoman for the organization. She said the situation was getting worse as the Iran war disrupted global supply chains.
But he sees the summit positively. “The world’s two largest economies are communicating at the highest level. This will help reduce trade tensions and reduce uncertainty,” he said.
Beijingers’ reaction
Trump has been called “Chuan Jianguo,” or “nation-builder Trump,” on social media for years. “Without the US sanctions, our technology wouldn’t have advanced so fast,” said Shen, a construction worker in Beijing. “We need foreign chips, we need our own research — having both will boost our confidence,” said Pan, another IT worker.
Ukraine war: Another crisis in the background
During the Beijing summit, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine with 675 drones and 56 missiles, which also caused explosions in Kiev. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Tsibiha condemned the attack as “Putin’s warmongering attitude at a time when the world is hoping for peace.” The two leaders also discussed the war in Ukraine, Chinese state media reported.
Friday’s program and departure
The two leaders will hold another meeting on the second and final day. A joint photo will be taken at 11:30 a.m., followed by a bilateral tea and luncheon. After the banquet, Trump will depart for Washington.
Analysis: The significance of this conference
The most important aspect of this summit is not just the agreements or declarations, but the symbolism. Trump’s visit to Beijing with a delegation of top American business leaders gave China the status it has long sought — recognition as a global superpower on par with the United States.
The four words Xi has used to redefine the relationship — “constructive, strategic, stable relations” — convey a message. Beijing wants competition between the two countries to be controlled and predictable — not war or complete isolation.
The summit was a temporary relief for the world. But fundamental issues such as the Iran war, Taiwan tensions, trade disputes and technology competition remain unresolved. The coming months will tell how sustainable the summit’s warmth was.
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