Trump Heads to Beijing for First Summit With Xi in 9 Years as Iran, Trade Top Agenda

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

Trump and Xi are set to hold talks in Beijing for the first time in nine years, with the war involving the US, Israel and Iran expected to be a main agenda item.
The two leaders are also expected to coordinate on issues including the tariff war, US trade-law investigations, China's controls on rare-earth supplies and US export curbs on advanced semiconductors.
China is treating the Taiwan issue and a US statement opposing independence as its top priority at the summit, putting the spotlight on Trump's message.

Forecast Trend Report by Period

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Beijing for the first time in about nine years. Air Force One, carrying Trump from Joint Base Andrews, is due to land at Beijing Capital International Airport on the night of May 13.

Trump has begun a two-night, three-day visit to China. The focal point comes at 10 a.m. on May 14, when he is scheduled to meet Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The two leaders last met about six months ago at a summit in Busan, South Korea, in late October 2025. Their meeting in Beijing will be the first there since Nov. 8-10, 2017, during Trump's first term.

The war involving the US, Israel and Iran is set to be a major agenda item. Trump wants a ceasefire agreement that ensures Iran abandons its nuclear weapons ambitions and that the Strait of Hormuz reopens. Xi, by contrast, appears poised to use US calls for a Chinese role in the conflict to maximize Beijing's leverage. China has also said US sanctions are unjust.

Another major issue is whether the two sides can narrow differences over the tariff war, which is now under a truce, as well as US trade-law investigations, China's controls on rare-earth supplies and US export curbs on advanced semiconductors.

Taiwan is also likely to feature prominently. China is expected to make securing a clearer US statement opposing Taiwan independence its top priority at the summit, putting the spotlight on Trump's message.

Trump told reporters at the White House before departing on May 12 that he and Xi had "a lot to discuss." Trade, he said, would be the main topic.

Asked what message he wanted to deliver to Xi on the Iran war, Trump said, "We will talk about it for a long time," adding, "He is my friend, and a lot of good things will happen."

He then said he would not describe Iran as one of the discussion topics. "We have that well under control, and either we make a deal or they will be annihilated," Trump said.

Trump also said he did not need China's help on Iran.

Lee Seul-gi, Hankyung.com reporter seulkee@hankyung.com