Trump-Xi Jinping Face-to-Face in Beijing: What Was Discussed?

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between the United States (US) and China at their meeting on Thursday (14/05), according to a summary released by the White House.

The economic cooperation discussed by the two heads of state included expanding access for US companies to the Chinese market and Chinese investments in US industries.

Leaders from some of the largest US companies also attended part of the meeting.

Trump and Xi also discussed the importance of stopping the flow of fentanyl precursors to the US.

According to the White House statement, both countries agreed that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons.

The US statement also mentioned that both sides agreed the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open to support the smooth flow of energy”.

During the talks, President Xi “expressed interest” in buying more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, according to the White House statement.

Xi warns of potential ‘conflict’ with the US over Taiwan

Shortly after the talks began, Chinese state media released a statement from President Xi Jinping warning of potential “conflict” with the US over Taiwan. President Trump did not respond to reporters’ questions on whether the Taiwan issue was also discussed.

Trump described the outcome of his talks with President Xi Jinping as “very good”, after the nearly two-hour meeting between the two heads of state in Beijing, China, on Thursday (14/05), concluded.

However, he did not mention whether the Taiwan issue was also discussed.

The island, which has its own government and is claimed by Beijing, is one of the main sources of tension, alongside trade tariffs, technology competition, and the Iran war.

Shortly after the talks began, Chinese state media released Xi’s statement warning of potential “conflict” with the US over Taiwan.

Nevertheless, Beijing gave Trump a lavish welcome: honour salutes, children’s cheers, and a visit to the 15th-century Temple of Heaven.

China’s grand welcome to Trump in Chinese diplomacy is not mere formality but carries significant meaning, wrote the BBC correspondent in China.

Trump was also accompanied by a number of technology company executives in Beijing, including Jensen Huang from Nvidia.

On the other hand, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned of potential “conflict” with the United States over Taiwan, according to reports from Chinese state media.

He also reportedly described the issue as “the most important issue in China-US relations”.

“If handled well, bilateral relations can remain generally stable. If not handled properly, the two countries could clash or even fall into conflict, which would drive the entire China-US relationship into a very dangerous situation,” Xi said, as quoted by state media.

He added that Taiwan’s independence “fundamentally does not align” with peace in the Taiwan Strait.

According to him, peace in the region is “the greatest point of convergence between China and the US”.

As such, Taiwan is an island with its own government, but claimed by Beijing as part of its territory, and China does not rule out using force to take it over.

In recent years, Beijing has increased military exercises, including blockade simulations around the island, which have raised concerns in Taiwan and its allies.

Last year, the Trump administration announced an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which Beijing condemned and warned again ahead of today’s meeting.

As reported by BBC correspondent at the US State Department, Tom Bateman, reporting from the meeting location, Trump and Xi walked slowly together towards the Temple of Heaven, while a guide explained the site in a soft voice.

Other delegation members walked a few steps behind, closer to the garden area, as the two leaders stood in front of the striking blue and gold imperial building, part of the temple complex where past emperors prayed for good harvests.

Xi appeared to be smiling, while Trump seemed to listen attentively to the guide’s explanation, before the Chinese leader invited him to a spot where they stood for photographs by photographers.

Previously, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for China and the United States to be “partners, not rivals”.

He expressed this ahead of important talks with US President Donald Trump in Beijing, China, on Thursday (14/05).

In response, Trump called Xi a “great leader” and said relations between the two superpowers would be “better than ever”.

Several sensitive topics were expected to be discussed at the meeting, including trade tariffs, technology competition, the Iran war, and Taiwan.

Ahead of the meeting, Xi and Trump shook hands on a red carpet outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing; they were also greeted by cheering children and conducted a troop inspection.

Trump arrived in Beijing with a number of technology company executives, including Elon Musk from Tesla and Jensen Huang from Nvidia.

Before his arrival, Trump said he would ask China to “open up” to US industries.

Trump, who last visited China in 2017, is now returning to a country that is increasingly strong and assertive, seeking to present itself as a stabilising power.

The two leaders were scheduled to attend a state banquet on Thursday (14/05) evening.

This visit was originally scheduled for March but was postponed due to the Iran war.

What did Xi Jinping say in front of Trump?

In his opening statement, Xi said that “the whole world is watching our meeting”.

At present, Xi Jinping continued, changes unseen in a century are accelerating around the world and the situation