Beijing/Washington: US President Donald Trump departed for China aboard Air Force One on Tuesday ahead of a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a sitting US president to Beijing since Trump’s previous trip in 2017.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday, with formal talks between the two leaders set for Thursday and Friday. The itinerary includes a state banquet and a tea reception, according to White House officials.
Trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies are expected to dominate the discussions, alongside issues related to Taiwan, China’s rare earth export controls and broader strategic ties.
Ahead of his departure, Trump dismissed suggestions that Beijing could play a key role in resolving tensions involving Iran, despite reports that Washington wants China to use its influence over Tehran to help stabilise the region.
“I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise,” Trump said before boarding Air Force One.
The remarks come amid continuing disagreements between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. While the United States has demanded that Iran curb its nuclear activities and ease restrictions affecting shipping traffic, Tehran has sought compensation for war-related damage, removal of US sanctions and an end to regional hostilities.
The Trump-Xi meeting also comes against the backdrop of a fragile trade truce reached during their previous meeting in South Korea in October, following years of tariff escalation and economic rivalry between the two countries.
China’s trade surplus with the United States has remained a longstanding concern for Trump, who imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term in office.
Security was tightened across Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival, with increased police deployment at major intersections and identity checks at metro stations.
Trump is being accompanied by several leading American business executives, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, the White House said.
The summit comes at a sensitive time for China’s economy, which continues to face sluggish domestic demand and a prolonged debt crisis in the property sector.
