Beijing: US President Donald Trump said “a lot of problems” had been settled as he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the final day of a closely watched summit in Beijing, underscoring a cautious sense of progress after weeks of diplomatic tension over trade, security and global conflicts.
The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday, where Trump described the talks as potentially one of the most significant summits in recent memory. Speaking at the start of the meeting, he said the two sides had already made headway on several contentious issues and expressed confidence that the relationship between Washington and Beijing could improve further.
Warm optics, high stakes
The summit was staged with the kind of ceremonial grandeur China often reserves for high-profile state visits. Trump arrived to a formal welcome that signalled Beijing’s desire to project stability and strength at a time when the world’s two largest economies remain at odds over tariffs, export controls, Taiwan and geopolitical rivalries.
Trump, for his part, adopted an unusually upbeat tone, calling Xi a “great leader” and saying the two countries could develop a better relationship if they continued talking directly. He also praised the large business delegation accompanying him, saying leading American executives were eager to pursue new trade and investment opportunities in China.
The meeting comes amid broader uncertainty in the global economy, with investors watching for signs of whether the two sides can ease pressures that have weighed on markets, supply chains and multinational companies. US-China relations have deteriorated in recent years due to disputes ranging from technology restrictions and tariffs to military activity in the Indo-Pacific.
Trade, tariffs and technology at the center
Trade remained the dominant issue on the agenda. Washington has pushed Beijing to address what it sees as unfair trade practices, while China has argued that the US has weaponised tariffs and restrictions to contain its economic rise. Both countries have imposed measures that have strained commerce in sectors including aviation, semiconductors, rare earths and clean energy.
Trump said the talks had helped resolve “a lot of problems,” though he did not immediately provide specifics. That language suggested possible movement on some issues, but not necessarily a sweeping breakthrough. Analysts said the meeting could still matter if it reduces the risk of escalation and opens the door to follow-up negotiations between senior officials.
Business circles were also closely tracking the summit because even modest thawing in relations could affect aircraft orders, market access, investment flows and supply-chain planning. American companies have long sought greater access to China’s consumer market, while Chinese firms continue to seek stability in relations with the US to protect exports and technology transfers.
Iran and regional security also discussed
Beyond bilateral trade, the leaders were expected to discuss the war in Iran, which has added another layer of tension to an already fragile global security environment. The conflict has raised concerns about energy prices, shipping routes and the possibility of a wider regional confrontation.
Trump has repeatedly framed his foreign policy in terms of deal-making and direct leader-to-leader diplomacy, and the Beijing summit appeared designed to reflect that approach. Xi, meanwhile, has consistently emphasised China’s role as a major power that should be treated as an equal by the United States.
China’s ability to navigate its relationships with both Washington and Middle Eastern powers has become increasingly important as the Iran conflict reverberates through international diplomacy. Any comments from either leader on the issue could shape expectations for how both powers position themselves in future ceasefire or de-escalation efforts.
Taiwan remains a flashpoint
Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive issues in the relationship. Beijing claims the island as part of its territory, while Washington continues to support Taiwan’s self-defence and oppose any unilateral change to the status quo. Though neither side is expected to make major concessions on the issue, references to Taiwan during the summit were being watched as a signal of whether tensions are likely to intensify or ease.
Even as the leaders projected confidence, longstanding structural disagreements remain. The US has accused China of aggressive military posturing in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, while Beijing has condemned American arms sales and naval activity near the island. Those disputes continue to cast a shadow over any efforts at rapprochement.
Mixed expectations for a long-term thaw
Diplomats and experts noted that high-level meetings between the two leaders can create momentum, but sustained progress typically depends on detailed negotiations by cabinet-level teams and trade officials. Without that follow-through, summit optimism can fade quickly.
Still, the language used by both Trump and Xi suggested an interest in at least lowering the temperature. Trump’s remarks about a “fantastic future together” and Xi’s carefully choreographed welcome indicated that neither side wanted the meeting to end in public confrontation.
For Trump, the summit also offered an opportunity to show progress on one of the world’s most consequential bilateral relationships. For Xi, it was a chance to project China as a stable and indispensable global power capable of engaging the US on its own terms.
Whether the talks produce concrete policy shifts will likely become clearer in the days ahead. For now, the summit appears to have achieved something modest but important: it kept communication open at a time when both powers face pressure to avoid a deeper strategic rupture.
As the meeting concluded, attention turned to whether the two governments would announce any follow-up steps on tariffs, technology restrictions or diplomatic coordination over Iran and regional security. In the absence of a major breakthrough, the tone of the summit itself may be the most immediate sign that both sides still see value in direct engagement.