Trumo and XI lock horns in Beijing: Iran, trade and Taiwan front and centre (photos)

US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a critical summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as tensions surrounding Iran, trade, and Taiwan continue to dominate the diplomatic landscape between the world’s two largest economies.

Xi warmly welcomed Trump at the grand Great Hall of the People, where the two leaders exchanged handshakes and smiles amidst heightened geopolitical concerns. The welcoming ceremony, complete with a military band playing both the US and Chinese national anthems, set the stage for discussions on thorny issues ranging from trade tariffs to the Iran conflict.

Trump, accompanied by key US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, arrived in Beijing aboard Air Force One, marking the first presidential visit to China in nearly a decade.

During the ceremony, Xi and Trump were greeted by cheering schoolchildren waving US and Chinese flags, before proceeding to a state banquet and a visit to the Temple of Heaven later in the evening.

The summit is expected to address unresolved trade disputes, with Trump eager to reach new business deals in agriculture and aircraft, particularly with top US CEOs such as Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Tesla’s Elon Musk, who were part of the US delegation.

Despite Trump’s optimism, the summit is occurring against the backdrop of a China that is far more assertive than the one Trump last visited in 2017. The long-standing trade war between the US and China, which saw the imposition of tariffs exceeding 100 percent last year, will be at the forefront of negotiations, though a tariff truce remains uncertain.

Another major topic of discussion is Iran. Trump’s administration has imposed harsh sanctions on Tehran, pushing it to turn to China for oil purchases. While Trump insists that the US does not need Beijing’s help regarding Iran, US Secretary of State Rubio hopes China can play a more active role in de-escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.

Taiwan, an ongoing point of contention between the US and China, will also be on the agenda, with Trump expected to discuss US arms sales to the island, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

The summit’s outcome could have significant global ramifications, with both leaders seeking to stabilise relations and secure key agreements on trade, diplomacy, and regional security.

Trump’s visit to Beijing is set to conclude with a reciprocal visit from Xi to the United States later this year, a move aimed at reinforcing the personal rapport between the two leaders.