Trump to land in Beijing on Wednesday for talks with Xi

US President Donald Trump will land in Beijing on Wednesday for a state visit, marking his seventh face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping since their last encounter in Busan, South Korea, in October 2025. The visit follows years of strained trade relations, with China preparing to negotiate tariffs, AI regulations, and supply chain issues that have impacted its $525 billion in annual exports to the US. Trump’s delegation includes top CEOs like Tesla’s Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook, whose companies have seen strong growth in China—Apple regained the top smartphone market share in early 2026, while Tesla’s China-made vehicle sales surged 36% year-over-year in April. The US plans to establish a new Board of Trade with China to address bilateral disputes, with trade and tariffs as the primary focus, though discussions on Taiwan, US arms sales to Taipei, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions are also expected. The visit coincides with heightened tensions in the Gulf, where Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has drawn global concern. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival, meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who urged Iran to reopen the strait while acknowledging Tehran’s commitment to not develop nuclear weapons—a key US demand. China, as Iran’s largest oil importer and a regional ally, faces pressure to mediate, though its stance remains cautious amid US sanctions and regional instability. Trump’s schedule includes a visit to Beijing’s Temple of Heaven, followed by bilateral meetings with Xi on Thursday and a working lunch on Friday. The US has also announced plans to host Xi for a reciprocal visit later this year, signaling efforts to stabilize relations. Analysts note China’s preference for regional stability, given its economic ties with Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait, which have been disrupted by the conflict. While trade deals—including potential agreements for US food and aircraft exports—are a priority, the broader goal is to ease geopolitical tensions. China’s role in persuading Iran to lift the Strait of Hormuz blockade will be closely watched, as Trump has framed the issue as critical to global oil security. The visit underscores the intertwined economic and strategic interests of the world’s two largest economies amid shifting global power dynamics.