Trump-Xi summit focuses on Taiwan, trade and Iran

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held more than two hours of talks in Beijing on Thursday, with Taiwan, trade tensions and the Middle East conflict dominating the agenda.

Xi welcomed Trump at the Great Hall of the People during a formal ceremony where children waved Chinese and American flags as the two leaders walked past.

The meeting marked the first official visit to China by a sitting US president since Trump’s 2017 trip during his previous term.

Xi Calls for cooperation, warns on Taiwan

In opening remarks, Xi said China and the United States should be “partners, not rivals,” stressing that both countries “stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.”

“We should help each other succeed, prosper together, and find the right way for major countries to get along in the new era,” Xi said.

At the same time, the Chinese leader warned that the Taiwan issue remained the most sensitive point in bilateral relations.

“If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts,” Xi said, according to Chinese state media.

Xi also said peace across the Taiwan Strait was incompatible with what Beijing describes as “Taiwan independence.”

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, while Taipei has maintained self-rule since 1949.

Trump praises Xi, signals dialogue

Trump said relations between Washington and Beijing were poised to become “better than ever before,” while repeatedly praising Xi’s leadership and China’s economic development.

Earlier this week, Trump said he planned to discuss US support for Taiwan with Xi, noting that the Chinese president opposed Washington’s military backing for the island.

The talks come as US lawmakers push the administration to move forward with a delayed $14 billion weapons package for Taiwan. The United States approved $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan last year, drawing strong protests from Beijing.

Trade, Iran conflict also on agenda

Trade disputes and tariffs were also central topics during the summit, as both sides sought to stabilize economic ties amid years of tensions.

Xi said recent discussions between Chinese and US economic teams had produced “balanced and positive outcomes,” describing bilateral trade relations as “mutually beneficial and win-win in nature.”

The meeting also took place against the backdrop of the recent Middle East conflict involving Iran, Israel and US forces.

The conflict erupted after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February triggered retaliatory attacks across the region, including against US allies in the Gulf and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire is currently holding.

China has repeatedly called for dialogue, while Washington has accused Beijing of helping strengthen Iran’s military and economic capabilities.

Senior US officials, business leaders attend

Trump was accompanied by senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

A number of top US business executives also joined the delegation, including Jensen Huang, Elon Musk and Tim Cook.

Source:AA