Trump heads to China for high-stakes talks on trade, Iran war

Donald Trump has left for China ahead of talks with Xi Jinping on Thursday and Friday. The visit comes amid mixed signals on Iran and efforts to steady oil and trade ties.

In Short

• Trump left Washington on Tuesday and would be in Beijing on Wednesday
• The visit is their first in-person meeting since Busan in October 2025
• Trump gave conflicting cues on whether Iran would feature in discussions

US President Donald Trump departed the White House on Tuesday for a high-stakes visit to China, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid rising tensions over the US-Israel war on Iran, global oil market concerns and fragile trade ties between the world’s two largest economies. The three-day visit from May 13 to May 15 is being viewed as a pivotal moment in US-China relations amid escalating geopolitical rivalry, shifting supply chains and rising tensions across the Indo-Pacific.

Trump briefly addressed reporters before boarding the Marine One helicopter en route to Beijing. He is expected to arrive in China aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, ahead of meetings with Xi scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

The visit marks the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi since they met during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea, in October 2025. It is also Trump’s first trip to China since beginning his second presidential term on January 20, 2025.

While US officials have sought in recent days to play down the significance of the Iran conflict during the visit, Trump offered mixed signals on how prominently the issue would feature in his discussions with Xi.

“We’re going to have a long talk about it. I think he’s been relatively good, to be honest with you,” Trump said when asked about discussing the conflict and its impact on oil markets with the Chinese leader.

Minutes later, however, Trump appeared to minimise the issue, saying, “We have a lot of things to discuss. I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control.”

“I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” he added.

The comments came as senior US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, increased pressure on Beijing to use its influence to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passed before the outbreak of the war.

China has publicly opposed the conflict and reportedly urged restraint behind the scenes, while avoiding direct involvement.

Trade and economic issues are expected to dominate the summit, with both sides seeking to prevent a renewed tariff war following a fragile truce reached in October last year.

ELON MUSK, TIM COOK, BOEING CEO JOIN TRUMP ON CHINA TRIP

Trump has brought several top US business leaders on the trip, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, as his administration pushes for fresh business agreements with Beijing.

China is also expected to announce purchases involving Boeing aircraft, American agricultural products and energy supplies during the summit.

Industry sources said Boeing and Chinese officials are discussing a potential deal for around 500 Boeing 737 MAX jets and dozens of GE-powered widebody aircraft. If finalised, it would mark China’s first major Boeing order since 2017 and could become the largest aircraft deal in aviation history.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has expressed optimism that the Trump administration could help secure the long-awaited China order.

The two sides are also expected to discuss extending a trade truce that currently permits the flow of rare earth minerals from China to the US, though it remains unclear whether an extension will be agreed during the trip.

However, Melania Trump has not accompanied Donald Trump on his three-day visit to China. Her absence marks a clear contrast with the public role she played during the 2017 Beijing trip.

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