US President Donald Trump will visit Beijing on May 14–15 to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking his first trip to China in eight years. The visit, repeatedly delayed due to the Iran war, is seen as a key step in managing US-China relations amid global tensions.
Originally scheduled for next week, Trump postponed the trip to focus on the Middle East conflict, particularly the ongoing war with Iran. In a Truth Social post, he confirmed Xi would later visit Washington for a reciprocal meeting. “Our Representatives are finalizing preparations for these Historic Visits,” Trump said.
Read more: Trump, Xi set crucial Beijing summit amid escalating Iran war
The two-day visit will combine ceremonial engagements with strategic diplomacy. Leaders are expected to discuss trade, including agriculture and airplane parts, as well as sensitive issues such as Taiwan, where progress is unlikely. Trump has increased US arms sales to Taiwan, drawing criticism from Beijing. A Chinese defence ministry spokesperson urged Washington to handle Taiwan-related matters “with extreme caution.”
The timing of the Iran war adds uncertainty to the visit. Trump has sought international support, including from China, to counter Tehran’s attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz, but Beijing has not directly responded. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the trip was delayed with Xi’s understanding, noting the conflict may take “approximately four to six weeks” to resolve.
Read more: Trump Xi summit rescheduled for May in Beijing
This visit will be the first in-person meeting between Trump and Xi since October, when they agreed on a trade truce during talks in South Korea. Analysts say the May summit will test both leaders’ ability to balance ceremonial diplomacy with high-stakes geopolitical negotiations.