Trump and Xi Meet for Three Days in Beijing

President Trump and President Xi Jinping wrapped up a summit in Beijing on Friday, May 15, 2026, claiming progress in stabilizing relations between the world's two largest economies even as differences on Taiwan, Iran and nuclear weapons remained. Xi welcomed Trump at his official residence, Zhongnanhai, for the final day of talks.

The visit, which lasted three days, concluded with Trump boarding Air Force One for the return flight to Washington.

Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while flying back from Beijing on May 15, 2026. U.S. arms sale to Taiwan can move forward.

“I will make a determination,” Trump said. In December the White House announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan.

U.S. ” Rubio said it would be “a terrible mistake” for China to try to take Taiwan by force. He added of Xi’s Taiwan comments, “They always raise it on their side.

During private talks Xi warned Trump that differences on Taiwan, if handled poorly, could lead to “clashes and even conflicts,” according to Chinese government officials. Trump said Xi told him that he was opposed to Taiwan’s independence. “I heard him out.

I didn’t make a comment,” Trump said. The two leaders took a short walk through the grounds of Zhongnanhai featuring ancient trees and Chinese roses on May 15, 2026. They strolled through a covered passageway with green columns and archways painted with birds and traditional Chinese mountain scenes.

Trump remarked that the roses at Zhongnanhai were the most beautiful he had ever seen. Xi promised to send Trump some rose seeds. Zhongnanhai is wrapped around two artificial lakes built for the pleasure of emperors.

Over tea and lunch with top aides and translators, the leaders held nearly three hours of talks at Zhongnanhai on May 15, 2026. “It’s been really a great couple of days,” Trump told reporters. ” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saw President Trump off at Beijing Capital International Airport on May 15, 2026.

Schoolchildren dressed in Air Force One’s light blue and white colors waved American and Chinese flags at the airport. The leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be reopened. About 20% of the world’s oil flowed through the Strait of Hormuz before the Iran war started on Feb.

28. Trump said with Xi at his side, “We feel very similar about (how) we want it to end. ” White House officials say Xi was opposed to any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity that President Xi had offered to help with the Iran conflict. U.S. State Department accused Chinese firms of providing satellite imagery to the Iranian government.

U.S. Treasury Department moved to target Chinese oil refineries accused of buying oil from Tehran and shippers of the oil.

U.S. agricultural purchases by the Chinese on Thursday during the summit. They also discussed opportunities for both sides to expand investment into each other’s markets on Thursday during the summit.

Trump raised with Xi expanding access to the China market for Mastercard and Visa. Trump administration officials want to work toward establishing a Board of Trade with China. , Russia and China to cap the number of nuclear warheads.

“I got a very positive response. This is the beginning,” Trump said of Xi’s response. The last nuclear arms pact, known as the New START treaty, between Russia and the United States expired in February.

Pentagon estimates state China’s arsenal exceeds more than 600 operational nuclear warheads. U.S. and Russia are each estimated to have more than 5,000 nuclear warheads. The Pentagon estimates China will have more than 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030.