Trump Meets Xi Jinping at Beijing Summit
President Donald Trump departed Beijing on May 15, 2026, following two days of meetings and meals with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The leaders described progress in stabilizing bilateral ties even as differences on Taiwan and other issues remain unresolved. Trump said he had not yet decided on a major U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.
France 24President Donald Trump departed Beijing on Friday, May 15, 2026, after completing a three-day visit to China that included two days of meetings and meals with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump and Xi held a final meeting at Zhongnanhai, Xi's official residence, on Friday.
The two leaders walked the grounds, which feature ancient trees and Chinese roses, and strolled through a covered passageway with green columns and archways painted with birds and traditional Chinese mountain scenes.
They had a working tea and lunch at Zhongnanhai. U.S. leader's departure. The summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping lasted two days of meetings and meals.
A photo of the two at Zhongnanhai Garden was taken on Friday, May 15, 2026, by Evan Vucci for the Pool Photo via AP. U.S. sale of arms to Taiwan can move forward.
“I will make a determination,” he added. China opposes the deal. “It’s been really a great couple of days,” Trump told reporters.
Xi, for his part, called the visit a “milestone” visit. “We have established a new bilateral relationship, or rather a constructive, strategic, stable relationship,” Xi said. Trump remarked that the roses at Zhongnanhai were the most beautiful he had ever seen.
-China relations even as deep differences remained after the meetings. U.S. entreaties regarding Iran, according to reporting on the summit. Xi warned Trump during private talks that their differences on Taiwan, if handled poorly, could hurtle the world’s dominant powers toward “clashes and even conflicts,” Chinese government officials told reporters.
The optimistic statements from both sides followed those private exchanges.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- 2026-05-15
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held final meeting, walked grounds, had working tea and lunch, and conducted nearly three hours of talks at Zhongnanhai
3 sourcesunattributed · washingtontimes.com · France 24 - 2026-05-15
President Donald Trump departed Beijing and spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One
2 sourcesunattributed · washingtontimes.com - 2026-05-13 to 2026-05-14
Two days of meetings and meals took place during the summit between Trump and Xi
2 sourcesunattributed · France 24
Potential Impact
- 01
Persistent differences on Iran and Taiwan highlighted in reporting may limit immediate cooperation on global issues
- 02
Continued uncertainty over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan may affect cross-strait stability
- 03
Statements on stabilized U.S.-China ties could influence diplomatic and economic negotiations in coming months
Transparency Panel
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