on Friday, claiming important progress in stabilizing U.S.-China relations even as deep differences persist between the world’s two biggest powers on Iran, Taiwan and more.
BEIJING (AP) — Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping wrapped up critical talks -
May 14, 2026
Xi welcomed Trump at his official residence, Zhongnanhai, on Friday for the final talks of the summit before the U.S. leader’s return to Washington. The leaders took a short
walk through the grounds that feature ancient trees and Chinese roses, and strolled through a covered passageway with green columns and archways painted with birds
and traditional Chinese mountain scenes.
Over tea and lunch, Trump and Xi — with top aides and translators in tow — huddled
for nearly three hours of talks before the U.S. leader completed his three-day visit to China.
“It’s been really a great couple of days,” Trump told reporters as he sat with Xi before
the start of their meeting with aides.
Xi, for his part, called it a “milestone” visit. “We have established a new bilateral relationship, or rather a constructive, strategic, stable relationship,” he said.
But the optimistic outlook collides with some difficult truths about the thorniest issues between the two superpowers.
Beijing has shown little public interest in U.S. entreaties to get more involved in solving the conflict in Iran, even though Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity
that Xi had in their conversations offered to help. In recent weeks, the U.S. State Department has accused Chinese firms of providing satellite imagery to the Iranian government and the Treasury Department has moved to target Chinese oil refineries accused of buying oil from Tehran, as well as shippers of the oil.
And the White House believes China can still do more to stem the flow of Chinese-
made precursor chemicals into Mexico used to make illicit fentanyl that has wreaked havoc on many U.S. communities.
Xi, meanwhile, warned Trump during private talks that their differences on the self-ruled island of Taiwan, if handled poorly, could hurtle the world’s dominant powers toward “clashes and even conflicts,” according to Chinese government officials.
Trump appeared impressed by the bucolic grounds, remarking the roses were the
most beautiful he had ever seen. Xi promised to send him some rose seeds.
The compound is wrapped around two manmade lakes that had been built for the pleasure of emperors. Zhongnanhai is often compared to the White House, the Kremlin or South Korea’s Blue House. But unlike the other presidential residences, Zhongnanhai does not serve as the main venue for diplomatic visits. The invitation appeared to be
an attempt by Xi to extend a personal touch to a U.S. leader who appreciates big gestures.
“I think he’s a warm person, actually. But he’s all business,” Trump said of Xi in the
Fox News interview. “There’s no games.”
Taiwan remains the most important issue for China
Xi’s sharp language on Taiwan loomed large over the visit, with Chinese government officials amplifying that differences on the self-ruled island pose the biggest risk to
U.S.-Chinese relations.
But Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News that U.S. policy toward Taiwan
was “unchanged” and cautioned that it would be “a terrible mistake” for China to try
to take Taiwan by force. He also framed Xi’s comments as standard practice.
“They always raise it on their side. We always make clear our position, and we move
on to the other topics,” said Rubio, who was among senior aides to join Trump for
the talks.
China in recent weeks has sought to put more focus on its view that Taiwan sits at
the “core” of its interests and is key to ensuring a stable relationship with the U.S.
Trump at moments has shown ambivalence toward Taiwan, raising speculation that
he could be open to loosening ties with Taipei.
Trump has demanded Taiwan increase defense spending, and in December, the
White House announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the largest
ever to the island democracy.
But the U.S. has yet to begin fulfilling the arms sales, and Trump had said he
expected to discuss the matter with Xi in Beijing. He’s also groused that Taiwan
“stole” America’s semiconductor business and called on Taiwan to pay the U.S.
for protection.
China wants the Strait of Hormuz opened
The leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz — effectively closed since the start of
the Iran conflict — needs to be reopened to support global energy demands About
20% of the world’s oil flowed through the strait before the war started on Feb. 28.
“We feel very similar about (how) we want it to end,” the president said with Xi at this
side. “We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon.”
White House officials say Xi was also opposed to any implementation of tolls on
vessels crossing the strait and expressed interest in China potentially purchasing
U.S. oil to reduce Chinese dependence on Gulf oil in the future.
Trump earlier this week had downplayed the importance of talks with Xi on the
11-week-old Iran war that has led to surging energy prices and threatens to plunge
the global economy into recession if the conflict does not conclude soon.
But before Air Force One could land in Beijing, Rubio said administration officials
would make the case to the Chinese officials about why they should be invested in prodding Iran to come to terms to end the war.
Indeed, the Chinese, who have been critical of the U.S. and Israeli bombardment of
Iran, hold unique leverage as Iran’s biggest trading partner. The Chinese government
has managed to weather the economic damage caused by the war with the help of
its strategic oil reserves, but that backstop is not limitless. Economists say the Iran conflict could still have a big impact on China’s export-driven economy.
Will Trump announce any major business deals?
The White House, ahead of the visit, insisted that Trump wouldn’t be making the trip without an eye toward securing results before he leaves, suggesting there could be announcements coming on trade.
Trump says some “fantastic trade deals” had been struck during the visit, but did not
offer further details
The U.S. side had been hoping to nail down Chinese commitments to buy U.S.
soybeans and beef. Trump told Fox News that Xi had indicated a commitment for
China to buy 200 Boeing jets from the U.S.
The leaders on Thursday discussed increasing U.S. agricultural purchases by the
Chinese and opportunities for both sides to expand investment into each other’s
markets, according to the White House. Trump administration officials also want to
work toward establishing a Board of Trade with China to address commercial
differences between the countries.
Trump, whose delegation for the trip included the CEOs of Mastercard and Visa,
said he also raised with Xi expanding access to the China market for the U.S.-
based credit card companies.
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Mistreanu reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Huizhong Wu and
Darlene Superville and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.
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