Trump and Xi Hold Bilateral Summit in Beijing Amid Tensions Over Trade, Taiwan and Iran

U.S. President Donald J. Trump received a formal welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026, before holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The ceremony featured a military honor guard, cannon salute, marching Chinese soldiers, music from Chinese military bands, and cheering schoolchildren waving flags and holding flowers.

U.S. national anthem and China's national anthem played. "That was an honor like few I have ever seen before," Trump said after the welcome ceremony.

He added of the children at the ceremony, "They were happy, they were beautiful. " Xi shook hands with members of Trump's delegation including Stephen Miller, Steven Cheung, James Blair, Lara Trump, and Pete Hegseth at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026. The bilateral one-on-one and delegation talks between the two leaders and their teams then took place inside the Great Hall.

Trump told Xi at the start of the meeting, "There are those who say it may be the biggest summit ever. " He added, "We’ve gotten along — when there have been difficulties, we’ve worked it out. " The summit is a two-day event held on May 14 and May 15, 2026, in Beijing.

After their first round of talks the two presidents visited the Temple of Heaven. U.S. and Chinese delegations are scheduled for Friday morning, May 15, 2026, before Trump departs Beijing.

A state banquet for Trump and Xi was held at the Great Hall of the People on the evening of May 14, 2026, featuring lobster soup, Peking duck, and pan-fried pork buns. During his toast at the banquet Xi said, "Achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand. U.S.

Opposition to Chinese reunification with Taiwan could lead to direct conflict between the superpowers, according to Xinhua. U.S. industries.