Trump’s High-Stakes Meeting with Xi in Beijing
WASHINGTON – President Trump’s so-called “great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping faces a real test as he visits Beijing for the first time in nearly a decade later today.
Over the course of the two-day meeting, he plans to address a range of issues including artificial intelligence, the global economy, trade, and nuclear weapons. He’ll also be joined by top CEOs to promote Chinese investments in the United States.
On the other hand, Xi is looking to diminish U.S. support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that China views as part of its territory, while also aiming to prevent Trump from levying new, damaging tariffs on Beijing.
This visit was initially slated for early April but had to be delayed due to the conflict in Iran. Much like King Charles III’s recent state visit, Trump is set to downplay Middle Eastern matters to focus on the ceremonial aspects of this visit.
When asked what he hoped to gain from the summit, Trump simply stated, “A lot.”
“I have a great relationship with President Xi. We do a lot of business, and it’s smart business,” he shared with reporters from the Oval Office on Monday.
Artificial Intelligence
This week marks the first direct discussion between Trump and Xi on artificial intelligence, amid ongoing debates about regulations governing the tech rivalry between the U.S. and China.
The Trump administration insists that both nations should keep open “channels of communication,” although one senior U.S. official tempered expectations for significant outcomes.
“We hope to use this summit as a starting point for dialogue and to explore whether we should establish a communication channel on AI,” the official disclosed, emphasizing the need for a way to resolve tensions over advanced AI technology, especially regarding cyber espionage.
Trade
During this two-day meeting, the Chinese government is likely to announce purchases of American aircraft, agricultural products, and energy—an outcome that would be a win for Trump.
A senior U.S. official didn’t provide specifics on the anticipated purchase amounts but mentioned that discussions have been underway for a while.
“They understand what they need, and they know what we want to sell them,” officials told reporters. “These are the key areas we’re exploring for potential agreements.”
Farmers—who form a core part of Trump’s support base—are hoping for significant orders of soybeans. Meanwhile, Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, is part of the U.S. delegation as the company aims to secure contracts for expensive aircraft with China.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is also attending the summit, hoping for progress on trade agreements.
“Trade is going to be a major part of the agenda,” noted Patricia Kim, a China expert at the Brookings Institution. “This is a priority for Trump, while Beijing also has realistic goals: extend the trade ceasefire, retain access to U.S. technology, and mitigate tightening U.S. export controls.”
Trump imposed tariffs of 20% on China at the onset of his second term and ramped it up to 34% in April 2025, leading to the highest tariff rates from the U.S. towards China. In response, Beijing has restricted agricultural imports, affecting American farmers and limiting access to rare earth minerals, a topic Trump aims to discuss.
After their meeting in October 2025, the U.S. eased tariffs on some goods to 10%. However, high tariffs remain on other products, including significant rates on electric cars and steel.
“This trip is part of Trump’s ongoing strategy to recalibrate our relationship with China, emphasizing fairness and reciprocity to restore U.S. economic independence,” stated White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.
Taiwan
Taiwan remains a top concern for Xi, who hopes Trump’s more flexible approach might shift U.S. policy regarding the island.
“Beijing is firm that Taiwan should be involved in talks,” Kim stated. “It’s clear that Xi will pressure Trump on this issue during the summit.”
Under the U.S. One China policy, Washington recognizes but does not formally accept China’s claims over Taiwan, choosing instead to sidestep direct support for Taiwan’s independence.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is a prominent arms supplier to Taiwan. In December, Trump authorized a significant arms package for the island, costing over $11 billion.
During the meeting, Trump has indicated he will address arms sales and other Taiwan-related issues with Xi.
“We will raise those discussions with President Xi,” he mentioned. “He wishes for us not to do so, hence I’ll definitely bring it up. There are various topics I plan to cover.”
Although U.S. officials maintain there won’t be any policy shifts, Taiwan remains observant and concerned.
Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, expressed hope that the summit won’t result in any surprising developments regarding Taiwan.
Nuclear Weapons
China is hesitant to engage in discussions about its expanding nuclear arsenal.
As of early 2026, it is estimated that China possesses between 600 and 620 operational warheads, ranking as the third-largest nuclear power globally. Analysts predict that this number could exceed 1,000 by 2030 and reach around 1,500 by 2035.
Trump has expressed a desire to address nuclear issues with Xi, but a senior U.S. official downplayed that likelihood, noting, “Currently, they have no interest in discussing arms control or related topics.”
Plight of Prisoners
Trump has committed to addressing human rights concerns with Xi, including the cases of Ezra Jin, an American pastor imprisoned during China’s crackdown, and Jimmy Lai, a well-known critic and pro-democracy figure in Hong Kong.
Lai, who was sentenced in December to 20 years in prison, received sympathy from Trump, who previously described his situation as “terrible.”
Since then, Trump has vowed to bring up these matters with Xi. “I want to see him released,” Trump stated. “So I’ll definitely mention it again.”
