US President Donald Trump wrapped up his visit to Beijing on Friday with a private meeting at Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s official residence before departing for Washington. During a series of meetings and events on Thursday, the two discussed divisive issues such as the Iran war, trade, technology, and Taiwan.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
Trump said Xi told him China wants to help negotiate an end to the war and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, and Trump hopes Xi will use that leverage to prod Iran into a deal on US terms. Trump also said Xi assured him that China wouldn’t provide Iran with military equipment.
Trump has taken a decidedly rosy outlook on the US-China relationship during this trip, but that has collided with some difficult truths about the thorniest issues between the two superpowers, including Taiwan, the Iran war, and trade.
Taiwan and Iran
In a summit marked by fanfare and flattery, Xi warned Trump that differences over Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by Beijing as its own territory, could bring the US and China into clashes or conflict. Trump authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December but has not moved forward with delivery. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned later on Thursday it would be “a terrible mistake” for China to take Taiwan by force.
Trade and Agricultural Deals
Trump also focused on trade and deals for China to buy more agricultural products and passenger planes, setting up a board to address their differences and avoid a repeat of the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes. The White House hasn’t released details of any deals, but Trump told Fox News about soybeans, airplanes, and oil. He praised the visit as “incredible” and said “a lot of good has come of it,” including “some fantastic trade deals” that are “great for both countries.”
Private Meeting at Zhongnanhai
Trump and Xi spent about 10 minutes walking Zhongnanhai’s gardens, where Trump remarked, “These are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen.” Xi promised to send rose seeds to Trump. The pair then had a working tea before heading into a closed-door lunch.
The White House shared the list of participants for the meetings. Trump was joined by David Purdue, the US ambassador to China; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Xi was joined by Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to the US; Cai Qi, a director of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China; Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi; Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ma Zhaoxu; and He Lifeng, vice premier of the State Council.
Strait of Hormuz and Iran War
China reiterated a call to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a bilateral meeting with the US and called for a diplomatic solution to the Iran war. “Now that the door for dialogue has been opened, then it shouldn’t be shut again,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday, adding that the solution should “take into account the concerns of all parties on the Iran nuclear issue.” The ministry did not say if China would help negotiate an end to the war, as Trump told Sean Hannity of Fox News in an interview.
Oil and Energy Deals
Trump suggested there could be a deal for China to buy oil from the United States after talks in Beijing. Xi “said he likes the idea,” Trump said. “They’ve agreed they want to buy oil from the United States. They’re going to go to Texas. We’re going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas and to Louisiana and to Alaska.” There were no immediate details of the deals.
Chinese Students and Visa Issues
Trump said it would be “very insulting” for the US to turn away Chinese students. The Trump administration announced last year it would start revoking the visas of some Chinese students, including those with ties to the Communist Party or studying in critical fields. Trump said, “I frankly think that it’s good that people come from other countries and they learn our culture, and many of them want to stay here.”
Credit Card Companies and Jimmy Lai
Trump said he talked to Xi about US credit card companies’ access to China. He also raised the issue of Jimmy Lai’s release, the 78-year-old former newspaper publisher and pro-democracy activist serving a 20-year sentence in Hong Kong. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We would like to see him released. We would be open to any arrangement that would work for them, as long as he’s given his freedom.”
Trump Describes Xi as ‘Warm’ but All Business
Trump described Xi as “all business” in an interview with Sean Hannity. “There’s no games. There’s no talking about how nice the weather is.” Trump said Xi is a “very smart person” and they have a “good relationship.” “He’s all about China,” Trump said.
Trump’s visit has deepened trust, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, who said the meetings promoted mutual understanding, deepened trust, advanced cooperation, and injected “stability” into the world. Trump and Xi agreed on a new framework of “constructive, strategic stability” for their countries.
