President Trump and President Xi meet in Beijing for high-stakes summit

On May 14, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping began a two-day summit in Beijing held at the Great Hall of the People. The leaders discussed critical issues including trade, Taiwan, the situation in the Middle East, the crisis in Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula. President Xi specifically invoked the 'Thucydides trap' to emphasize the need for the two superpowers to act as partners rather than adversaries. Xi warned that the Taiwan issue remains the most significant and sensitive point in bilateral relations, stating that mishandling it could lead to conflict. Despite these tensions, President Trump expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-China relations, citing his personal connection with the Chinese leader. President Xi also addressed American business leaders, pledging that China would continue to open its market to global investment. Both sides acknowledged the need for long-term strategic stability in their relationship for the next three years and beyond.