Donald Trump arrived in China alongside top US tech leaders, seeking economic victories, trade relief and fresh business openings as tensions over Taiwan, Iran and AI dominate talks.
WEBDESK – Source: REUTERS
U.S. President Donald Trump landed in Beijing on Wednesday for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, bringing along a powerful delegation that included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The two-day summit, scheduled for May 14-15, is expected to focus heavily on trade, artificial intelligence, technology restrictions and growing geopolitical tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump received a lavish state welcome upon arrival in Beijing, where Chinese officials, military honor guards and waving students greeted him as he stepped off Air Force One in the evening twilight.
As students chanted “Welcome, welcome” in Mandarin, Trump paused midway on the red carpet, punched the air and smiled before leaving in his limousine.
In a post on Truth Social before the meeting, Trump said he would urge Xi to “open up” China further for American businesses.
“I will be asking President Xi, a leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic,” Trump wrote, referring to the CEOs traveling with him.
One of the most closely watched additions to the trip was Nvidia chief Jensen Huang, who reportedly joined the delegation at the last minute after Trump personally requested his participation.
Nvidia has faced mounting challenges in China due to U.S. export restrictions and Chinese regulatory hurdles involving advanced artificial intelligence chips, including its H200 processors.
The business delegation accompanying Trump largely represents firms seeking smoother access to the Chinese market and resolution of ongoing trade and technology disputes.
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held preparatory talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in South Korea before Trump’s arrival. Chinese state media described the discussions as “constructive and candid.”
The meetings come as Washington and Beijing attempt to preserve a fragile trade truce reached last year, when Trump paused steep tariffs on Chinese imports and China eased restrictions on rare earth exports critical for global manufacturing.
Apart from economic issues, Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss the Iran conflict, Taiwan, semiconductor restrictions and broader global security concerns.
China on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, while American officials continue to push Beijing for greater cooperation on international trade and regional stability.
Trump enters the summit under mounting domestic pressure, with inflation concerns, legal challenges to his tariff policies and fears that Republicans could lose ground in upcoming midterm elections.
Analysts believe the U.S. president is eager to secure visible economic wins that can reassure American voters and global markets.
“The Trump administration needs this meeting more than China does,” said Beijing-based geopolitical analyst Liu Qian. “Washington wants to show voters that deals are being made and money is flowing.”
For China, easing U.S. restrictions on advanced semiconductors and chipmaking equipment remains a key priority.
Despite tensions, some Beijing residents expressed cautious optimism about the summit.
“As someone working in trade, I just hope some good policies can come out of this,” said Lou Huilian, a 44-year-old oil trade worker in Beijing.
