Trump and Xi Meet at Beijing Summit on Iran Conflict

President Donald Trump concluded two days of talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, stating that both leaders feel similarly about the ongoing Iran war and want it to end. Trump said the United States and China both seek the Strait of Hormuz opened to shipping and Iran barred from developing nuclear weapons.

Xi did not comment publicly on those points during the meetings at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese Communist Party headquarters. The two leaders met for a garden stroll, ceremonial tea and a working lunch with small groups of advisors. Trump described the visit as incredible and said a lot of good had come from it.

Xi delivered opening remarks focused on the garden and offered Trump seeds from its Chinese roses as a gift.

No specific agreements were formally announced after the meetings. Trump and his officials have claimed China agreed to purchase 200 Boeing planes, farm products including soy, and other items. Trump also said China wants to buy oil from the United States and would send ships to ports in Texas, Louisiana and Alaska.

In a state media readout of the meeting, Xi said the two countries reached important common understandings on maintaining stable economic and trade ties, expanding practical cooperation and properly addressing each other's concerns. He linked China's national rejuvenation with Trump's goal of making America great again through strengthened cooperation.

The Chinese statement described an exchange of views on some regional hotspot issues but did not mention the Iran conflict or Taiwan specifically.

Trump said he discussed Taiwan with Xi and would make a determination on arms sales to the island. A day earlier, Xi had warned that mishandling the issue could become a flashpoint between Beijing and Washington. Trump added that the last thing needed right now is a war 9,500 miles away.

When asked whether the U.S. military would defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion, Trump declined to specify his plans. He noted that only one person knows what he would do.

Trump heaped praise on Xi during the meetings and in a subsequent interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. He said Xi told him that if he could be of any help to end the Iran war, he would like to see the Hormuz Strait opened. Trump also claimed Xi said China would not provide military equipment to Iran.

In a Truth Social post earlier Friday, Trump referenced Xi's earlier mention of the Thucydides Trap, a concept comparing current U.S.-China tensions to ancient Athens and Sparta.

“We feel very similar…we want it to end.”

Beijing remains Tehran's largest economic partner, purchasing 90 percent of Iran's oil exports and holding considerable leverage. China has historically supported nonproliferation but shown reluctance to back enforcement measures or deeper involvement in Middle East conflicts.

Trump departed Beijing after a grand farewell ceremony at the airport that included schoolchildren waving American and Chinese flags.