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Recap: Trump leaves Beijing after historic two-day summit with Xi

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The US president said he and his Chinese counterpart made some ‘fantastic trade deals’.

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Alessia Mah, Laura Chia

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Published: May 14, 2026

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Follow ST for the latest.","ogDescription","jsonLd","{\"@context\":\"https:\\/\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"LiveBlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/live-trump-xi-summit-china-2026\",\"headline\":\"Trump-Xi summit 2026 (Day 2)\",\"description\":\"\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2026-05-15T08:00:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2026-05-15T23:30:00+08:00\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/assets\\/ST-logo-default-aoeSLh4S.png\",\"width\":\"1228\",\"height\":\"96\"}},\"liveBlogUpdate\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"China to potentially buy as many as 750 Boeing planes: Trump\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T20:12:06+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T20:13:56+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"China has agreed to buy 200 Boeing planes, with a potential commitment to purchase up to 750 planes, Mr Trump told reporters on Friday.He added that the planes would have General Electric enginesThe orders, if finalised, would mark Boeing\\u2019s first major Chinese deal in nearly a decade, after the US planemaker was largely shut out of the world\\u2019s second-largest aviation market amid trade tensions between Beijing and Washington.It would also be a much-needed win for Mr Trump, whose aggressive tariffs and other trade policies have so far failed to make much of a dent in the large US trade deficit.But the reported number fell short of the 500 737 Max and wide-body aircraft Chinese airlines were expected to buy at the upper extreme of a landmark deal.Speaking on board Air Force One, Mr Trump also said American farmers would be happy with his trade deals and that China would be buying \\u201cbillions of dollars\\u201d of soya beans, but gave no details on any new purchases.We\\u2019re ending our live coverage of the summit here, but you can read more at www.straitstimes.com\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Business done, Nvidia\\u2019s Jensen Huang turns his sights to Beijing cuisine\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T20:04:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T20:04:48+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"After attending a raft of events across the two-day summit in Beijing, Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang \\u2013 who was part of Mr Trump\\u2019s state visit to China \\u2013 found the perfect way to decompress: with food.Clips on social media show Mr Huang tucking into local staples, including a bowl of zhajiangmian, or fried noodles with a meat-based sauce, while dressed in his signature leather jacket in the bustling Nanluoguxiang alley on Friday.In between bites, he obliges a few passers-by with selfies and handshakes.In another video, Mr Huang gamely sips from a bottle filled with white liquid and frowns. He is told that it is douzhi, an infamously pungent fermented mung bean drink.A social media user claims Mr Huang promptly chased down the beverage with an order from Chinese bubble tea chain Mixue Bingcheng.His drink of choice? Mixue\\u2019s Peach Four Seasons Spring. View this post on Instagram \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump weighs lifting sanctions on Chinese refiners, says will decide on Taiwan arms sale soon\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T19:44:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T19:52:55+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said on Friday he is weighing lifting sanctions on Chinese companies accused of buying Iranian oil and will make a decision in the next few days.Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on his way back to the US from Beijing, Mr Trump also said that he made no commitment to Mr Xi over Taiwan, and would make a decision soon over a US$14 billion (S$17.91 billion) arms deal with the island.He said he and Mr Xi \\u201ctalked a lot\\u201d about the issue, and that the Chinese leader \\u201cdoes not want to see a fight for independence, because that would be a very strong confrontation\\u201d.Mr Trump said he would ultimately \\u201cmake a determination over the next fairly short period\\u201d after speaking to the person \\u201cthat\\u2019s running Taiwan\\u201d, without specifying who he means. His remarks come after the Chinese President issued an unusually blunt warning that the two nations could descend into conflict if the Taiwan issue is mismanaged.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump\\u2019s White House ballroom scheduled to open around September 2028\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T18:38:31+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T18:52:48+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The White House ballroom is scheduled to open around September 2028, Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday.\\u201cChina has a ballroom, and so should the USA! It\\u2019s under construction, ahead of schedule, and will be the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the USA,\\u201d he said in the post, published about four hours after he left Beijing on board Air Force One.Mr Trump has been pushing for the construction of a huge ballroom on the site of the White House\\u2019s demolished East Wing in his second term as president. He defended rising cost estimates for it last week, saying the cost would still be less than US$400 million (S$511.5 million).PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM REALDONALDTRUMP\\/TRUTHSOCIAL\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Putin hopes to discuss Trump\\u2019s China visit with Xi: Kremlin\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T18:07:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T18:07:12+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes to discuss Mr Trump\\u2019s recent trip to China with Mr Xi during the Russian leader\\u2019s own imminent visit there, the Kremlin said on Friday.Details of Mr Putin\\u2019s own visit to China, which is set to take place \\u201creally soon\\u201d, have been agreed upon and will be announced soon, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.Mr Peskov said Mr Putin and Mr Xi would focus on bilateral ties amid solid trade volumes but also discuss international matters.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"In pictures: Past US presidential visits to China\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T17:28:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T17:39:36+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump\\u2019s summit with Mr Xi in Beijing was the latest in decades of high-level diplomatic encounters between the two countries marked by drama, tension and surprising breakthroughs.Here are some other notable visits by US presidents to China:In February 1972, over two decades after the US cut ties with China, Mr Richard Nixon flew over to meet then Communist Party leader Mao Zedong.At a banquet in the Great Hall of the People, Mr Nixon declared that \\u201cthere is no reason for us to be enemies\\u201d. Almost seven years later, full diplomatic ties were restored between the two countries. Mr Bill Clinton\\u2019s nine-day tour of China in 1998 marked a thaw in relations after the US slapped sanctions on Beijing in the aftermath of the 1989 protests.A highlight of the visit was a surprise decision by then Chinese President Jiang Zemin to allow a live broadcast of their press conference.In an extraordinary scene, the two leaders sparred on national television about the usually off-limits subjects of human rights and the Tiananmen crackdown. Mr George W. Bush trod a delicate diplomatic line during his August 2008 trip, as human rights groups called for a tough stance on China\\u2019s rule of Tibet, arrests of dissidents and internet censorship.He was there to attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Mr Barack Obama\\u2019s last visit to China as president in September 2016 threw a spotlight on the country\\u2019s mounting rivalry with Washington.When he landed at Hangzhou airport, there was no staircase or red carpet provided for him, prompting speculation of a snub. Mr Trump was given \\u201cstate visit-plus\\u201d treatment during his November 2017 visit, in his first term as president. He was treated to a Chinese opera performance and a private tour of Beijing\\u2019s Forbidden City with Mr Xi.PHOTOS: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"From funny faces to filming random moments, Elon Musk goes full tourist mode in Beijing\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T16:38:40+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T17:25:15+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Tesla founder Elon Musk, who was among a group of CEOs who joined US President Donald Trump on his trip to Beijing, has been making waves on social media for his antics and for just being a tourist, really.During a state dinner on Thursday hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mr Musk was spotted rolling his eyes in mock boredom, winking and making other faces as he took selfies with fellow tech leaders, including Apple\\u2019s Mr Tim Cook and Xiaomi\\u2019s Mr Lei Jun.In another clip, he can be seen enthusiastically filming his surroundings as he stands on the steps of the Great Hall of the People among other members of the US delegation.\\u201cEven the world\\u2019s richest man can\\u2019t resist something interesting,\\u201d commented one netizen.His six-year-old son, X \\u00c6 A-12, also stole the spotlight when he turned up at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday in a Chinese-style silk vest and with a tiger-shaped bag that has since gone viral in China.PHOTO: REUTERS View this post on Instagram \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"laura\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What to make of Trump\\u2019s Beijing visit?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T15:50:39+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T15:55:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump and Mr Xi wrapped up two days of talks in Beijing, in a summit that was high on optics but modest on deliverables.As Mr Trump departed Beijing on his presidential plane shortly after 2.30pm on Friday, there was little to suggest that significant headway was made on disagreements between the two countries.This is even as Beijing declared a new positioning for US-China relations of \\u201cconstructive strategic stability\\u201d a day earlier.Mr Trump told Fox News in an interview that aired on Friday that China had agreed to order 200 Boeing jets \\u2013 China\\u2019s first purchase of US-made commercial jets in nearly a decade \\u2013 as well as American oil and agricultural products.But some had higher expectations, given the high-profile business delegation that accompanied Mr Trump to China. They included Nvidia\\u2019s Jensen Huang, Tesla\\u2019s Elon Musk and Apple\\u2019s Tim Cook.As yet, there is no official indication on whether the two countries will extend a fragile one-year trade truce that is due to expire in November 2026.Another closely-watched issue is Washington\\u2019s security commitment to Taiwan. Even as Beijing warned Taiwan could rupture US-China relations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington\\u2019s Taiwan policy remains unchanged. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Crowds at Beijing\\u2019s Temple of Heaven a day after visit by Trump and Xi\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T15:00:07+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T15:41:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Just a day after Mr Xi and Mr Trump toured and posed for a photo at Beijing\\u2019s Temple of Heaven, crowds of local residents and tourists streamed back into the historic park that had briefly become the backdrop to high-stakes diplomacy.The sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site had been closed for two days ahead of the leaders\\u2019 visit on Thursday, with access restricted and security tightened in the surrounding area.When ST visited at around noon on Friday, the site had largely returned to its usual atmosphere of a mix of sightseeing and leisure strolling.Tourists were seen snapping photos and videos of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, known for its blue-tiled, triple-eaves roof. It was where Chinese emperors in ancient times used to go to pray for harmony, prosperity and a good harvest.Unlike the blazing heat during Mr Xi and Mr Trump\\u2019s visit, Thursday was cloudy with a light breeze, offering cooler conditions for visitors.Ms Carol Li (in black), who visited with her husband, said she did not expect such large crowds.\\u201cWe specifically came today because we saw that the leaders visited here yesterday. I think everyone who came today probably did so for the same reason,\\u201d said Ms Li, who lives in Beijing.ST PHOTOS: INGRID YU\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Xi regales Trump with China\\u2019s history\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T15:30:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T15:30:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Xi and Mr Trump\\u2019s stroll through Zhongnanhai in Beijing on Friday was rife with the weight of history.Before sitting down for tea and lunch at China\\u2019s seat of power where its top leaders live and work, Mr Xi introduced Mr Trump to the centuries-old trees housed within the former imperial garden, including one that was formed from a conjoinment of two \\u2013 a likely metaphor for intertwining US-China ties.\\u201cDo other foreign dignitaries and heads of state get hosted here?\\u201d Mr Trump asked. \\u201cRarely,\\u201d Mr Xi said, in footage captured by American media.\\u201cThere is a lot of history around this compound,\\u201d the Chinese leader later said over tea, adding that he chose the venue to reciprocate the hospitality he received at Mr Trump\\u2019s Mar-a-Lago home in the US, where they had dinner in 2017.Mr Trump\\u2019s visit to the secluded central government compound was an extension of the previous day, when the leaders from two of the world\\u2019s largest economies visited the Temple of Heaven.After a last-minute huddle between trade chiefs from both countries and two days of meetings, all eyes are on the agreements that are expected to be announced.Will these deals match the symbolic weight of the occasion?PHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump says he and Xi agree to keep Iran from having nuclear arms\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T13:01:34+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T15:05:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said on Friday he discussed Iran with Mr Xi and that they do not want Iran to have nuclear weapons and \\u201cwant the straits open\\u201d.The two leaders met at the walled-off Zhongnanhai complex in Beijing as Mr Trump wraps up his state visit to China.\\u201cWe\\u2019ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn\\u2019t have been able to solve,\\u201d Mr Trump said.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Air Force One takes off\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T14:44:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T15:03:51+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump boarded Air Force One with a wave and fist pump.China\\u2019s foreign minister Wang Yi was present for the send-off and Mr Trump grabbed him by the shoulders and gave him a friendly pat, BBC reported.Footage from Chinese state media CCTV showed the plane taking off at around 2.30pm.PHOTOS: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Summit wraps up as Trump flies back to US\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T14:22:36+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T14:45:22+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump has arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport for his return to the US, ending his two-day state visit.A send-off ceremony has been prepared for him, with rows of honour guards and children flanking a red carpet leading to his Air Force One aircraft.It will be a long flight back to Joint Base Andrews, which is just south of Washington.PHOTOS: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump says looking forward to hosting Xi in Washington\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T14:05:11+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T14:39:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said on Friday that he is willing to continue to maintain sincere and in-depth communication with Mr Xi, adding that he is looking forward to hosting Mr Xi in Washington, reported Xinhua News Agency.He made the remarks during a restricted meeting with the Chinese President in Beijing. He added that he is very grateful to Mr Xi for inviting him to visit Zhongnanhai. His China visit has captured the world\\u2019s attention and is very successful and unforgettable, Mr Trump said.During the state banquet on Thursday evening, Mr Trump had invited Mr Xi to the White House on Sept 24. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump leaves Zhongnanhai compound\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T14:08:54+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T14:11:49+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump has left the Zhongnanhai compound, the last stop of his visit.He shook hands with Mr Xi as he made his exit.He will be heading to Beijing Capital International Airport for a flight back to the US on board Air Force One, which was previously scheduled to depart at 1.15pm.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What\\u2019s for lunch?\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T13:54:19+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T13:54:19+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump and Mr Xi are currently having a working lunch at the Zhongnanhai compound.On the menu are dishes including kung pao chicken and scallops, steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, as well as stewed beef buns.Meanwhile, reporters were served bags of McDonald\\u2019s as they waited in vans.Trump and Xi lunch menu: Minced Codfish in Seafood SoupCrispy and Stir-Fried Lobster BallsPan-Seared Beef Fillet Stuffed with Morel MushroomsKung Pao Chicken and ScallopsBraised Seasonal Greens, Bamboo Shoots, Mushrooms, and BeansStewed Beef in a BunSteamed Pork and\\u2026 pic.twitter.com\\/mr5GRqZaqU\\u2014 Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) May 15, 2026 \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Harvard\\u2019s Graham says Trump and Xi are seeking to escape Thucydides Trap\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T13:40:08+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T13:49:10+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"A cloud of low expectations has dogged the ongoing Trump-Xi summit, but Harvard Professor Graham Allison sees signs of big and multi-faceted success.An early dividend is that four leader-level engagements now seem to be on the cards, heralding a spell of significant strategic stability in a world roiled by wars in Iran and Ukraine.Mr Xi on Thursday dipped into the concept popularised by Prof Allison\\u2019s 2017 book that examines historical patterns to ask if war is almost destined when an emerging power challenges a ruling one.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Handshakes, smiles and warm \\u2018taps\\u2019: The body language of Trump and Xi spoke volumes\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T13:20:15+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T13:20:55+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"For two leaders at odds on many fronts, Mr Trump and Mr Xi\\u2019s body language during their meeting on Thursday suggested both leaders were striking a conciliatory pose, each in their own style and reflecting their countries\\u2019 complicated relationship, experts said.During the opening ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People, Mr Trump looked around, smiling and gesturing at his surroundings, while Mr Xi stayed more stoic, sometimes looking directly at cameras that hovered nearby.\\u201cTrump\\u2019s more casual, showmanship style was on full display, whereas Xi\\u2019s body language and remarks were a bit more scripted and reserved, which is Xi\\u2019s style,\\u201d one expert said.Each country\\u2019s version of what the delegations spoke about also differed enormously.While the Americans emphasised Chinese investment, purchases of US oil and stopping fentanyl, Beijing\\u2019s readout discussed Taiwan and how US and Chinese officials could improve \\u201cstrategic stability\\u201d.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Made \\u2018fantastic trade deals\\u2019 with Xi, Trump says\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T12:43:14+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T13:12:48+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said he struck \\u201cfantastic trade deals\\u201d with Mr Xi during their summit in Beijing, where the two leaders discussed cooperation in areas such as agriculture, aviation and artificial intelligence, alongside geopolitical tensions including the Iran war.\\u201cA lot of good has come of it. We\\u2019ve made some fantastic trade deals, great for both countries,\\u201d Mr Trump said as he toured the gardens of the Zhongnanhai, the Chinese central leadership compound.The two leaders held at least 10 minutes of talks and walked together in Zhongnanhai.\\u201cThese are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen,\\u201d Mr Trump said. Mr Xi spoke about the history of the compound through a translator and offered to send seeds for the flowers to the US President.Earlier, Mr Trump had said that China had offered to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open and described Mr Xi as a great \\u201cleader\\u201d and \\u201cfriend\\u201d..@POTUS meets with President Xi in Zhongnanhai: \\\"I want to thank you very much. This has been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it. We've made some fantastic trade deals\\u2014great for both countries... we've really done some wonderful things, I believe.\\\" pic.twitter.com\\/7kLQjADQOi\\u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 15, 2026PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"fatimah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"In pictures: Trump\\u2019s motorcade draws crowds along route to Zhongnanhai\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T12:21:56+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T12:54:12+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump\\u2019s motorcade made its way through Beijing swiftly, as roads were cleared for the drive, according to a White House correspondent for the New York Post.Members of the public gathered on the streets \\u2013 some even craned their necks from their vehicles \\u2013 to catch a glimpse of the presidential limo, known as The Beast, as it rolled by.Inside the Zhongnanhai compound, it was so quiet you could hear birdsong, an AFP correspondent said. Mr Trump arrived at 11am, and he was shown around the \\u201cvery private\\u201d compound by Mr Xi.PHOTOS: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"China calls for lasting Middle East truce, shipping lanes to reopen \\u2018as soon as possible\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T11:40:38+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T12:32:49+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"China called on Friday for a lasting truce in the Middle East, and for shipping lanes to be reopened \\u201cas soon as possible\\u201d, as the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.\\u201cA comprehensive and lasting ceasefire should be reached as soon as possible to facilitate the early restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region,\\u201d Beijing\\u2019s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.\\u201cShipping lanes should be reopened as soon as possible in response to the calls of the international community,\\u201d it added in a response to a question on whether Mr Trump and Mr Xi discussed the Iran war during their summit.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump defends Chinese students in US, disagreeing with his base\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T12:01:33+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T12:27:05+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said he wants Chinese students to study in the US, acknowledging he was disagreeing with some of his right-wing base.Chinese student numbers have declined in the US, not only due to factors including perceived hostility in Mr Trump\\u2019s America, but also because of economic constraints inside the Asian power and the rise of China\\u2019s own universities.Mr Trump said in a Fox News interview that lower-tier universities in the US would be hit hardest if Chinese students did not come.\\u201cNot everybody agrees with me, and it doesn\\u2019t sound like a very conservative position,\\u201d he said of his support of Chinese students. \\u201cI\\u2019m really a common sense guy, I think, more than a conservative guy.\\u201dMr Trump had risen to political prominence with harsh rhetoric against non-white immigrants, and for years, he berated China, accusing it of cheating its way to economic might.READ MORE HERE PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"IMF says constructive US-China dialogue and reduced tensions good for world economy\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T11:30:09+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T12:23:23+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it welcomes the initial positive dialogue between Mr Trump and Mr Xi, adding that reducing tension and uncertainty between the world\\u2019s two largest economies was good for the world.IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said on Thursday that while higher energy prices due to the Middle East war have pushed up expectations of short-term price increases, medium-term inflationary expectations remain well-anchored.Financial conditions in the global economy also remain accommodative, she said.She added that the IMF continues to discuss possible financial assistance for member countries struggling with higher energy and commodity costs.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"\\u2018I\\u2019m not going to be much more patient,\\u2019 Trump says on Iran\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T10:40:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T11:44:05+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said he would not be much more patient with Iran as he urged Tehran to reach a deal with Washington.\\u201cI am not going to be much more patient,\\u201d Mr Trump said in a Fox News interview aired on Thursday night in the US. \\u201cThey should make a deal.\\u201dHe also suggested that hunting down Iran\\u2019s enriched uranium was primarily for political optics, after Israel demanded it as a goal.\\u201cI just feel better if I got it, actually, but it\\u2019s \\u2013 I think, it\\u2019s more for public relations than it is for anything else,\\u201d he said.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who alongside Mr Trump ordered an attack on Iran starting Feb 28, said in a recent interview that the war was \\u201cnot over\\u201d because the sensitive nuclear material \\u201chas to be taken out\\u201d of the country.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump arrives at Zhongnanhai compound\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T11:03:44+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T11:17:28+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump has arrived at Zhongnanhai, where China's top leadership works and lives, as he kicks off the second and final day of bilateral meetings with Mr Xi.Initially an imperial garden, Zhongnanhai now comprises repurposed imperial pavilions and temples, as well as modern offices and meeting halls.Former Chinese Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong lived at the compound from 1949 and received foreign leaders like former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, former US president Richard Nixon and American diplomat Henry Kissinger there.Next, Mr Trump and Mr Xi will continue their discussions over tea and lunch.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump and Xi reached new consensus at summit, China\\u2019s Foreign Ministry says\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T11:15:20+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T11:17:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump and Mr Xi reached \\u201ca series of new consensuses\\u201d during their talks in Beijing, China\\u2019s Foreign Ministry said on Friday, without elaborating.The two leaders also agreed to properly handle each other\\u2019s concerns and strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional issues, the ministry said, adding that the talks \\u201cfostered mutual understanding and deepened mutual trust\\u201d.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trump says China wants to buy US oil, soybeans\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T10:20:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T10:20:12+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said that China has voiced interest in buying US oil and soya beans, after his meeting with Mr Xi.\\u201cThey\\u2019ve agreed they want to buy oil from the United States,\\u201d Mr Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in an interview that aired late on Thursday in the US.He added that Chinese ships will be heading to Texas, Louisiana and Alaska, causing oil prices to rise.China, the key foreign customer of Iranian oil, bought small amounts of US oil before Mr Trump imposed tariffs last year. It has also sharply slowed down purchases of US soya beans, turning instead to Brazil.In the interview, Mr Trump also claimed the deals from this summit would be \\u201cbigger\\u201d and \\u201cbetter than last time\\u201d..@POTUS: \\\"One thing I think that we're going to make a deal on, they've agreed they want to buy oil from the United States. They're going to go to Texas. We're going to start sending Chinese ships to Texas, and to Louisiana, and to Alaska... that's a big thing.\\\" pic.twitter.com\\/BnQPNq0VGy\\u2014 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 15, 2026 \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"US expects agriculture deal worth \\u2018double-digit billions\\u2019 after Trump-Xi summit\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T10:00:43+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T10:05:14+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The US expects China to sign up to buy \\u201cdouble-digit billions\\u201d worth of US agricultural products following the summit in Beijing, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday.Mr Greer noted the 25 million tonnes per year soybean deal agreed last October and said the US also expects to \\u201csee an agreement for double-digit billion purchases\\u201d of agricultural products over the next three years per year from the visit.\\u201cAnd that\\u2019s more general, that\\u2019s aggregate. That\\u2019s not just soya beans, that\\u2019s everything else,\\u201d he said in an interview on Bloomberg Television.Soybeans are the top US export to China, the world\\u2019s largest buyer by far, and the oilseeds have played a key role in trade negotiations during the first and second Trump administrations.Going into the summit, markets were not anticipating Beijing would raise the soybean target beyond 25 million tonnes, an expectation that was reinforced by comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday suggesting the existing deal took care of the issue.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Taiwan thanks US again for support ahead of further Trump-Xi talks\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T09:20:28+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T09:54:43+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Friday he thanked the US for repeatedly expressing its support and commitment towards peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, ahead of the second day of Mr Trump\\u2019s state visit to China.Mr Lin, in the statement, also thanked the US for \\u201creiterating that its policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged\\u201d.On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Taiwan had come up in the talks with Mr Xi.Taiwan\\u2019s Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee had also told reporters that the US has repeatedly reaffirmed its clear position of firm support for Taiwan and the government is very grateful.She added that China\\u2019s military threat is the sole source of insecurity in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: EPA\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"China wants Strait of Hormuz open without restrictions, US trade representative says\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T09:40:06+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T09:40:06+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Chinese officials made clear at the US-China summit that it wants to see the Strait of Hormuz reopen without restrictions or tolls, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Friday.\\u201cIt\\u2019s really important for China to have the Strait of Hormuz open, no tolling, no military control, and that was clear from the meeting. So we welcome that,\\u201d Mr Greer told Bloomberg television in a live interview from Beijing, where he participated in meetings between Mr Trump and Mr Xi.He added that Beijing will also act pragmatically to limit military support for Iran.\\u201cWith respect to Chinese involvement with Iran, our view is the Chinese are being very pragmatic, and they don\\u2019t want to be on the wrong side of this,\\u201d Mr Greer said.\\u201cThey want to see peace in that area. President Trump wants to see peace in that area. So we have a lot of confidence that they will do what they can to limit any kind of material support for Iran.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Trade wins, business deals on the table on second day of talks \",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T08:58:37+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T09:00:05+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"In his final meetings with Mr Xi later today, Mr Trump is likely to turn discussions to trade and seek tangible wins for the US.The US leader is hoping to seal business deals in sectors including agriculture, aviation and AI, but will also look for geopolitical progress in areas including the Middle East war.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had told CNBC that Mr Trump and Mr Xi were discussing setting up \\u201cguardrails\\u201d for the use of AI, though US export controls on the advanced technology to China remain a sore point in relations.In an interview with Fox News, Mr Trump had said that he had also discussed the Iran war with Mr Xi, who had effectively assured him that China was not preparing to militarily aid Tehran.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: REUTERS \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What to expect today\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T07:19:50+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T08:43:26+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump and Mr Xi are slated to start their second day of bilateral talks at Zhongnanhai Garden at around 11.30am.At the former imperial garden, which now serves as a compound for the Communist Party\\u2019s leadership, the two world leaders will first pose for a \\u201cfriendship photo\\u201d before continuing their discussions over tea and a working lunch.Having discussed a range of topics including trade, Taiwan\\u2019s future and the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran in about two hours of talks on the first day, Mr Trump and Mr Xi are expected to take up issues such as extending their fragile one-year truce in trade conflicts, reached last October.Mr Trump is then set to depart Beijing at around 1.15pm, before landing back in the US slightly before 6pm.READ MORE HEREPHOTO: KENNY HOLSTON\\/NYTIMES\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"In pictures: Key moments from Day 1\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T08:30:07+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T08:30:07+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The first day of the highly anticipated summit between Mr Trump and Mr Xi began around 10am on Thursday, with the Chinese President greeting the US leader outside Beijing\\u2019s Great Hall of the People.The pair shook hands for about 14 seconds and posed for photos.Mr Trump was then treated to an opening ceremony featuring an honour guard, military band and a red-carpet reception, which included children waving Chinese and US flags.Inside the hall, the two leaders took part in their first round of bilateral talks. Over two hours, they discussed key issues like trade and cooperation between the two countries, tensions over Taiwan, as well as the war in the Middle East.They then went for a tour of the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.In the evening, Mr Xi and Mr Trump returned to the Great Hall of the People for a 10-course state banquet held in the US President\\u2019s honour.PHOTOS: REUTERS, AFP, EPA\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"China appears to seek further strategic, diplomatic ties with US amid existing points of tension: Experts\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T08:00:29+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T08:09:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Xi hailed on Thursday a \\u201cnew positioning\\u201d of ties with the US that envisages cooperation with measured competition, following his summit with Mr Trump.Analysts said the reference to \\u201cconstructive, strategically stable\\u201d ties showed China was following gradations in relations that yield a framework for diplomacy in which it can manage multi-faceted ties with the US.\\u201cIt's a new language and I think it reflects China\\u2019s desire to put more institutional guardrails around US-China relations, both competition and cooperation,\\u201d said Mr Joe Mazur, a geopolitics analyst at Beijing-based consultancy Trivium China.But frictions, such as those over the Iran conflict and recent US sanctions on Chinese firms, continue to \\u201ccomplicate US-China dynamics\\u201d and may test the durability of the new framework, said Dr Zhao Minghao, an international relations expert at Shanghai\\u2019s Fudan University.PHOTO: KENNY HOLSTON\\/NYTIMES\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"US-China relationship to be \\u2018stronger and better than ever before\\u2019, says Trump\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T07:41:40+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T07:56:49+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Trump said that he hoped the relationship between the US and China \\u201cwill be stronger and better than ever before\\u201d.In a social media post in the early hours of Friday, Mr Trump said Mr Xi \\u201cvery elegantly referred to the United States as perhaps being a declining nation\\u201d.Mr Trump said Mr Xi was not referring to the US under his watch, which he claimed was experiencing an \\u201cincredible rise\\u201d, but rather the country under his predecessor Joe Biden.\\u201cTwo years ago, we were, in fact, a Nation in decline,\\u201d Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social site.\\u201cNow, the United States is the hottest Nation anywhere in the world, and hopefully our relationship with China will be stronger and better than ever before!\\u201dHe added that Mr Xi had \\u201ccongratulated me on so many tremendous successes\\u201d.PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM REALDONALDTRUMP\\/TRUTH SOCIAL\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"alessiamah\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Good morning\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-15T07:01:58+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-15T07:28:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet again later today before wrapping up a two-day state visit.Thus far, the visit by Mr Trump - the first by a US president to China since 2017 - has featured pomp and business deals but also a stark warning from Mr Xi that mishandling the Taiwan issue could push US-China relations to \\u201ca very dangerous place\\u201d.The two leaders are scheduled to have tea and lunch before Mr Trump flies back to the US.Follow us as we bring you the latest updates.PHOTO: REUTERS\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Ng Huiwen\"}}]}","keywords","Donald Trump, XI Jinping, President Trump, President Xi, Trump Xi summit, meeting, US-China ties, United States, China, Beijing","robots","index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","image","https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/articles/2026/05/14/trump-xi-beijing-china2026.jpg?VersionId=SkyzwU02KtqUP.Fwj8wsFaZnMasOvd1l","gaData",{"_89":90,"_91":21,"_92":21,"_20":93,"_94":95,"_96":97,"_98":99},"level2","23","chapter1","chapter2","Live:_Trump_to_seek_tangible_trade_wins_in_second_day_of_talks_with_Xi","title_ga","Live: Trump to seek tangible trade wins in second day of talks with Xi","pagination","1","contenttype","live blog","additionalVariants","dependentPaths",[],"actionData","errors"]