Xi Jinping calls for US-China partnership during Trump's Beijing visit

US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Thursday for his first visit to China since 2017, conducting high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The three-day state visit takes place against the backdrop of strained relations between the world's two largest economies, with the ongoing Iran war, trade tensions, and technology competition dominating the agenda.

Xi Jinping welcomed Trump with an official ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. During the reception, the Chinese president called for China and the US to be "partners, not rivals." Xi emphasized that both countries "stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation." Trump responded with praise, calling Xi a "great leader," though he acknowledged that some people don't like it when he says that.

Trump expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations, stating it was "an honor to be your friend" and that the relationship between China and the US would be "better than ever before." Xi described 2026 as a potentially "historic year" for China-US relations. The conciliatory tones at the beginning of the talks contrast with the significant disagreements that exist between the two nations.

A central topic of the discussions is reportedly the Iran war, where the US is seeking Chinese support to end the costly conflict. The US-Israeli war with Iran has damaged Trump's approval ratings and given the summit added significance. Peace talks have stalled while the global economic costs of the conflict continue to rise. However, analysts express doubt about whether Trump will receive the desired support from China.

Beyond the Iran conflict, trade issues, tariffs, the Taiwan question, and technology competition are also on the agenda. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was known throughout his career as a fierce critic of Beijing, called China the "most important" relationship for the US to manage, while warning of conflicting interests. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth is also part of the US delegation.

Trump is accompanied by a high-level business delegation that includes prominent corporate leaders such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. This composition of the delegation underscores the economic dimension of the visit and hopes for progress on trade issues. The presence of leading technology entrepreneurs is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing tensions in technology competition between the two countries.

Security measures in Beijing have been heightened for the visit, highlighting the sensitive nature of the talks. Unlike Trump's last visit in 2017, when Chinese authorities implemented emergency measures to clear air pollution, the capital is experiencing heavier smog this time. This may reflect changed priorities and the more tense atmosphere between the two nations.

The visit comes at a critical time as both superpowers attempt to stabilize their relations while simultaneously competing in various areas. Experts are closely watching the talks for signs of potential breakthroughs or further deterioration. The outcomes could have far-reaching implications for the global economy and security.

While both sides are striking conciliatory tones at the outset, the structural challenges in China-US relations remain. The coming days will reveal whether the positive rhetoric can be translated into concrete progress on contentious issues or whether the talks will be primarily symbolic in nature. The stakes are particularly high given the global implications of the relationship between these two superpowers.

The presence of top business leaders in Trump's entourage signals the economic importance of the summit, with both sides hoping to make progress on trade disputes that have affected global supply chains. However, fundamental disagreements over technology transfer, market access, and strategic competition continue to complicate efforts to reach lasting agreements between Washington and Beijing.