Trump, Xi Discuss Trade, Fentanyl and Taiwan in Beijing Meeting

President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14, 2026. The White House described the talks as productive and said the two leaders discussed enhancing economic cooperation, expanding market access for American businesses into China, and increasing Chinese investment into U.S. industries.

Business leaders from many of the United States’ largest companies joined a portion of the meeting. The White House said the presidents highlighted the need to build on progress in ending the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States and increasing Chinese purchases of American agricultural products.

Both sides agreed that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. They also concurred that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy. President Xi made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use.

He expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future.

According to Fox News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged. China’s foreign ministry stated that Xi stressed the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. The ministry quoted Xi as saying: “If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability.

Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy. ” The White House readout omitted any reference to Taiwan. China’s foreign ministry warned that the U.S. must exercise extra caution in handling the Taiwan question to avoid clashes.

Air Force One carried Trump, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other officials, departing from Joint Base Andrews. Upon arrival in Beijing, the delegation received formal greetings including a military band playing the Star-Spangled Banner and schoolchildren waving flags.

At the state banquet in the Great Hall of the People, a military band played Y.M.C.A. Trump had previously described the pageantry of his 2017 visit including the precision of Chinese honor guards. The original March travel plan was postponed due to conflict involving Iran.

Trump owns dozens of trademarks in China. The delegation included executives from technology, finance, aerospace and agriculture sectors. Trump posted on Truth Social listing business leaders traveling with him and stated his intention to ask Xi to open up China further.

Meetings occurred against the backdrop of a proposed deal in which China would invest a trillion dollars in America.

In Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson led a candlelight vigil on the Capitol steps for police officers killed in the line of duty. He described the country as living through troubling times and quoted scripture during the event. A teenager spoke about losing her stepfather, a police officer.

The fraud task force announced a national moratorium on new hospice and home-health-care agencies. Officials discussed misuse of federal funds including cases of deceased Americans receiving benefits. The chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, who co-leads the task force with Vice President J.D. Vance, commented on the challenges of moving government machinery.

The House unanimously passed a resolution calling on Trump to demand the release of political prisoners including a Hong Kong publisher sentenced to 20 years in prison. When asked about the case before departure, Trump compared it to a hypothetical involving a former FBI director and noted the individual had caused turmoil for China.

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China held a hearing on forced organ harvesting while the House observed National Scam Survivor Day.