Trump and Xi Meet in Beijing to Stabilize Relations After Trade War

President Donald Trump left Beijing on May 15, 2026, after a state visit to China during which the two countries sought to stabilize their economic and political relations following last year's trade war that saw both impose tariffs exceeding 100 percent.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a closed-door session on May 14 that lasted roughly two hours and 15 minutes. The next day they met for tea and walked around the centuries-old gardens at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, mostly out of earshot of reporters, before eating a lunch of seafood dishes, Kung Pao chicken and scallops, beef and mushrooms, stewed beef buns and dumplings.

Trump told Fox News that China had agreed to buy American oil, soybeans and Boeing jets, with one deal covering the purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft. He characterized the visit as incredible and said a lot of good has come of it. "The relationship is a very strong one, and we've really done some wonderful things," Trump stated.

The two leaders reviewed troops together at the Great Hall of the People on May 14 and visited the Temple of Heaven that same day. A state dinner the previous evening featured an instrumental version of YMCA. At the banquet Trump invited Xi and his wife for a reciprocal visit at the White House on Sept.

U.S. in September.

“The relationship is a very strong one, and we've really done some wonderful things." — President Donald Trump Trump said the two leaders feel very similar on Iran and both countries want the Strait of Hormuz reopened. The waterway has been effectively closed since the U.S. war with Iran began in late February; 20 percent of the world's oil usually travels through it. China is Iran's biggest oil customer. Trump told Fox News that Xi said he is not going to give any military equipment to Iran and wants to help reopen the strait. Xi called the meetings historic and a landmark. According to Xinhua, the two sides reached important common understandings on maintaining stable economic and trade ties, expanding practical cooperation in various fields, and properly addressing each other's concerns. They also exchanged views on some regional hotspot issues. A regional source confirmed to CBS News that China raised Taiwan during the May 14 talks. Xi warned Trump of possible clashes and even conflicts if the Taiwan issue is not handled properly, Chinese state media reported. The U.S. acknowledged Beijing's position on Taiwan and repeated Washington's view before the conversation moved to the next topic. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. and China have discussed forming a Board of Trade and Board of Investment to oversee commerce between the two countries. It remains unclear how close the sides are to a broader trade agreement. Han Lin, China Country Director at The Asia Group, said Beijing is approaching the summit as a strategic stabilization exercise rather than a relationship reset. Several U.S. business leaders accompanied Trump. Elon Musk said the talks were wonderful and they achieved many good things. Apple CEO Tim Cook gave the press a thumbs-up sign. Trump boarded Air Force One in Beijing on May 15 and began flying back to Washington after the final meeting with Xi. The president had planned to visit China earlier this spring but postponed the trip because of the war with Iran.”