Xi Jinping Meets U.S. CEOs Traveling With Trump as Both Sides Discuss Trade, Tariffs and Market Access

CEOs traveling with President Trump to China that it will open further to American business. Xi Jinping spoke with the delegation of chief executives before a statement released on Thursday by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The meeting included Apple CEO Tim Cook, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The executives whose combined net worth approaches $1 trillion lead companies with major interests in China. The list of CEOs accompanying President Trump to China includes Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm, Tim Cook of Apple, Lawrence Culp Jr.

Of GE Aerospace, Larry Fink of BlackRock, Jane Fraser of Citigroup, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Ryan McInerney of Visa, Sanjay Mehrotra of Micron Technology, Michael Miebach of Mastercard, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Kelly Ortberg of Boeing, Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, Brian Sikes of Cargill, David Solomon of Goldman Sachs and Jacob Thaysen of Illumina.

Jacob Thaysen is the only biotech industry representative on the trip. The Trump administration raised tariffs on Chinese imports to as much as 125% last year.

President Trump said China "was taking us for a ride" as justification for raising tariffs. U.S. soybeans a year ago in retaliation. U.S.

And Chinese officials. U.S. and Chinese officials discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. They also discussed expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment.

The trip has already produced concrete results. President Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday that China had agreed to buy 200 Boeing 737 Max jets. The agreement for China to buy 200 Boeing 737 Max jets is an increase from an earlier deal for 50 aircraft.

President Trump said that Xi Jinping has agreed to buy more soybeans. Apple is the largest smartphone brand in China. Apple relies on Chinese partner Foxconn to produce the bulk of its products. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang flew with President Trump aboard Air Force One to Beijing.

High-profile CEOs were seated prominently at Mr. Trump's 2025 inauguration. Such presidential business trips have historical precedent. U.S. CEOs attended a summit to expand bilateral trade and investment.

U.S. executives to India, including representatives from General Motors, IBM, and Microsoft. When Mr. U.S.

Banks, energy companies and technology firms. U.S. companies and Chinese officials.

“We continue to expect the two sides to announce increased trade and tariff adjustments in non-sensitive sectors, including Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products (including beef), Boeing aircraft and energy.”

“— Eurasia Group analysts, via CBS News”

“It's not unusual for CEOs to travel with the president, and I think it speaks to the fact that the Chinese-U.S. relationship is highly dependent on the countries' business relationship.”

“— Mark Zandi, Moody's Analytics chief economist, to CBS News”

“We want to be a part of China.”

“— Jacob Thaysen, according to CBS News”