“PARTNERS NOT RIVALS”: Trump and Xi Toast Great Friendship in Beijing, High Stakes Trade Talks, Taiwan Threat Looms

President Xi welcomed President Trump with unprecedented pomp-filled ceremony in Beijing. Huge respect.

Trump signals partnership with China in major development to opening key oil route

• Trump receives ‘an honor like few I have ever seen before’ as he meets with Xi in China
• Rubio reveals why Beijing has no choice but to help defuse the Iran standoff
• Trump’s China charm offensive collides with unresolved tensions in Beijing talks

.@POTUS greets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People pic.twitter.com/wXkwVPg6fS

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026

The U.S. national anthem plays for @POTUS upon his arrival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CTdaasVYxP

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026

.@POTUS and President Xi inspect the assembled troops during the arrival ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing pic.twitter.com/gh7KT9TfAY

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026

.@POTUS meets with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing:

"It's an honor to be with you, it's an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the U.S.A. is going to be better than ever before. Thank you very much!" pic.twitter.com/aepz02qOgj

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026

Chinese students welcome President Trump to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing 💐

🎥: @MargoMartin47 pic.twitter.com/wChlpVnphh

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a high-stakes summit in Beijing focused on trade, Iran, Taiwan, energy security, and stabilizing U.S.-China relations. Both leaders publicly praised the importance of the relationship, agreed Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, and emphasized keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. Xi even offered to help facilitate stability in the region.

Trump pushed for expanded U.S. market access, more Chinese purchases of American goods, and cooperation on fentanyl trafficking, while also inviting Xi to visit the White House in September. The visit included major ceremony and business delegations featuring top American CEOs.

At the same time, tensions remained beneath the diplomacy. China warned that Taiwan is the “most important issue” in U.S.-China relations and said mishandling it could lead to “clashes and even conflicts.” Xi stressed that China and the U.S. should be “partners rather than rivals,” while Trump repeatedly described the talks as “great” and predicted a “fantastic future together.”

From the Bilateral Meeting in Beijing:

President Trump had a good meeting with President Xi of China. pic.twitter.com/WaH8hR1ZV3

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 14, 2026

🚨 WOW! Chinese President Xi Jinping just stunned the world, saying President Trump is "MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN" at the banquet with 47 in attendance

Trump has officially converted Xi to MAGA 🤣🔥

"The 250th anniversary of American independence, the over 300 million American… pic.twitter.com/fV5awyutD1

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 14, 2026

https://twiiter.com/MAGAVoice/status/2054756638155006263?s=20

.@POTUS meets with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing:

"It's an honor to be with you, it's an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the U.S.A. is going to be better than ever before. Thank you very much!" pic.twitter.com/aepz02qOgj

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026

FOX Updates:

Trump, Xi make remarks at state banquet on day two of critical China visit

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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping both laud the importance of the U.S.-China relationship during a state banquet on the second day of Trump’s high-stakes China visit.

During Trump’s speech, he invited Xi to visit the White House on September 24.

Trump and Xi sat down for two-and-a-half hours before the banquet, discussing oil, the war in Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, increasing U.S. access to Chinese markets and halting the flow of fentanyl precursors to the U.S., according to a White House readout of the bilateral meeting.

The two sides agreed that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open, according to the White House

A Chinese spokesperson said Xi warned Trump that if the Taiwan issue is not “handled properly,” the two countries “will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”

Trump and Xi are expected to sit again for a bilateral tea meeting at 11:40 a.m. Friday local time (11:40 p.m. Thursday ET).

What Xi wants from Trump as Beijing seeks leverage in high-stakes summit

President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a moment when both Washington and Beijing are trying to stabilize one of the world’s most consequential rivalries without giving ground on deeper strategic disputes.

The two-day visit marks Trump’s first trip to China since 2017 and comes amid mounting tensions over trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and the fallout from the war with Iran. While the White House is framing the summit as an opportunity for new economic agreements and “rebalancing” the U.S.–China relationship, analysts say Beijing’s priorities are far broader and more long-term.”

Trump arrives seeking headline deals and visible momentum ahead of the midterms,” wrote Zongyuan Zoe Liu, senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. “Xi is playing a longer game, focused on strategic patience rather than substantive compromise.”

Xi offered to help open Strait of Hormuz, Trump tells Hannity

President Donald Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview that Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered to assist with ensuring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Iran so far have yet to reach a definitive deal to end the war.

“President Xi would like to see a deal made. He would like to see a deal made. And he did offer, he said ‘if I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help,'” Trump told Hannity.

“Look, anybody that buys that much oil has obviously got some kind of relationship with them, but he said ‘I would love to be of help, if I can be of any help whatsoever.’ He’d like to see the Hormuz Strait open,” Trump said.

Trump invites Xi to the White House in September as Chinese leader’s last visit dates back to Obama

Addressing a state dinner in Beijing, President Donald Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Madam Peng to visit the White House on September 24.

Xi was last at the White House in September 2015, during a state visit hosted by President Barack Obama. That remains his most recent White House visit as China’s leader.

Xi was last in the United States in November 2023, when he traveled to San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). During that visit, he met with then-President Joe Biden on the summit sidelines.

Before his visit to Beijing this week, Trump last met with Xi in person during the APEC summit in October 2025 in South Korea. During his first term, Trump hosted Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in April 2017 and met with him several other times outside the U.S. in Beijing, Argentina and Japan.

Posted by Robert McGreevy

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Trump toasts to ‘rich and enduring ties’ between US and China

President Donald Trump toasted the strong relationship between the U.S. and China, calling it “one of the most consequential relationships in world history,” during a Thursday speech at a state banquet in Beijing.

“From the beginning, our citizens have shared a deep sense of mutual respect. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin published The Sayings of Confucius in his colonial newspaper and today a sculpture recognizing that ancient Chinese sage is carved into the face of the United States Supreme Court very proudly,” Trump said.

He continued to tout the two countries’ ties, highlighting Chinese immigrants’ labor on U.S. railroads and the modern day Chinese population’s love of American exports like basketball and blue jeans.

“Chinese restaurants in America today outnumber the five largest fast food chains in the United States all combined. And that’s a pretty big statement,” Trump continued.

“This bond of commerce and respect that stretches back 250 years is the foundation for a future that benefits both of our nations. The American and Chinese people share much in common. We value hard work. We value courage and achievement. We love our families, and we love our countries. Together, we have the chance to draw on these values, to create a future of greater prosperity, cooperation and happiness and peace for our children. We love our children. This region and the world is a special world with the two of us united and together,” Trump said.

“And I’d now like to raise a glass and propose a toast to the rich and enduring ties between the American and Chinese people. It’s a very special relationship, and I want to thank you again. This has been an amazing period of time. Thank you, President Xi,” Trump concluded.

Xi Jinping touts US-China as ‘the most important bilateral relationship in the world’ during banquet

Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the U.S.-China relationship as “the most important bilateral relationship in the world” during a toast at a state dinner with President Donald Trump and an American delegation in Beijing on Thursday.

“Today, President Trump and I had in-depth exchanges on China-U.S. relations and the international and regional dynamics. We both believe that the China-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. We must make it work and never mess it up,” Xi said through a translator.

“Both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals. President Trump and I also agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world,” Xi said.

“Looking back at the course of China-U.S. relations, whether or not we could have mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation is the key to whether the relationship can advance steadily. The world today is changing and turbulent,” Xi continued. “China-U.S. relations concern the well-being of the over 1.7 billion people of both countries and affect the interests of the over 8 billion people of the world. Both sides should rise up to this historic responsibility and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations forward steadily and in the right direction.”

“Now, please join me in a toast to the development and prosperity of China and the United States, and the well-being of our people, to the bright future of China-U.S. relations and the friendship between the two peoples, and to the health of President Trump and all the friends present. Cheers,” the Chinese president concluded.

US readout of Trump-Xi meeting leaves out Taiwan issue, while China’s version gives stark warning

A White House readout of the subjects discussed during the Thursday bilateral meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not include any information about Taiwan.

The readout, posted to the White House’s X account, detailed a number of subjects the two world leaders discussed but did not mention the controversial Taiwan subject.

China’s version of the readout, however, included the Taiwan issue, with a spokesperson writing in an X post that “President Xi Stressed to President Trump that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations. If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”

“‘Taiwan independence’ and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water. Safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the U.S.” China’s statement concluded.

Before Trump departed for the state visit, reporters asked him at the White House if the U.S. would continue selling arms to Taiwan.

“I’m going to have that discussion with President Xi. President Xi would like us not to, and I’ll have that discussion. That’s one of the many things I’ll be talking about,” Trump responded.

Foreign policy analysts have previously noted the unprecedented nature of the possibility that a U.S. president discussing Taiwan arms with China.

“I believe that no U.S. president has ever publicly stated that he is discussing arms sales to Taiwan with a Chinese leader. One of President Reagan’s Six Assurances was that the United States ‘has not agreed to consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan,’ which is often interpreted as a promise not to do so,” foreign policy analyst Bonnie Glaser wrote in February.

In the lead up to the summit, Chinese state media has referred to Taiwan as “the first red line” in the bilateral meeting.

White House says Trump-Xi talks advanced trade, energy and Iran alignment

The White House said President Donald Trump had a “good meeting” with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, highlighting discussions on expanding economic cooperation and market access for U.S. businesses. According to a readout posted on X, the two sides also discussed increasing Chinese purchases of American agriculture and addressing fentanyl precursor flows into the United States.

Leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to ensure global energy flows, while Xi expressed opposition to its militarization and signaled interest in buying more U.S. oil. Both sides also agreed that Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Trump wraps Temple of Heaven tour following talks with Xi in Beijing

China’s President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 14, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool via REUTERS)
President Donald Trump concluded his tour of the Temple of Heaven, a historic 15th-century site, following a round of talks early Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump returned to his hotel just after 1:55 p.m. local time and is not expected to appear publicly again until later Thursday evening, when he will attend a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Trump briefly responded to a question before the tour about how the meeting went, simply describing it as “great.”

Trump says meeting with Xi was ‘great’ after talks in Beijing
Trump says meeting with Xi was ‘great’ after talks in Beijing

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at the Temple of Heaven, a historic 15th-century site, following a round of talks early Thursday.

The two leaders arrived just after 1 p.m. local time after departing the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

They are expected to tour the site.

When asked by a reporter how the meeting went, Trump briefly responded, “It was great.”

He did not respond to questions about Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said following the meeting that Taiwan remains the “most important” issue in U.S.-China relations.

China says Taiwan is ‘most important’ issue in US ties after Trump-Xi talks

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said early Thursday that Taiwan remains the “most important” issue in U.S.-China relations following initial talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.

“President Xi stressed to President Trump that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations,” Mao said in a statement. “If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”

Mao added that “Taiwan independence” and “cross-Strait peace” are “as irreconcilable as fire and water.”

“Safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the biggest common denominator between China and the U.S.,” she said.

China says US talks yielded ‘positive outcomes’ as Trump-Xi meeting begins

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning provided an update early Thursday following initial talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.

“President Xi stressed to President Trump that facts have shown time and again that trade wars have no winner,” Mao said in a statement. “China-U.S. economic and trade ties are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice.”

“Our economic and trade teams produced generally balanced and positive outcomes,” the statement continued. “This is good news for the people of the two countries and the world. The two sides should jointly sustain the good momentum that we have worked hard to create.”

In a separate statement, Mao said Xi described the current international landscape as “fluid and turbulent.”

“The world has come to another crossroads,” Mao said. “Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm of major-country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide greater stability for the world? Can we build a bright future together for our bilateral relations in the interest of the well-being of the two peoples and the future of humanity?”

“These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people,” the statement added. “They are the questions of our times that the leaders of major countries need to answer together.”

Mao also reiterated that the two countries share common interests, noting that “success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world.”

“We should be partners, not rivals,” Mao added. “We should help each other succeed and prosper together, and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era.”

China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on May 14, 2026 in Beijing, China. President Trump is meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing to address the Iran conflict, trade imbalances, and the Taiwan situation while establishing new bilateral boards for economic and AI oversight. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump was greeted with pomp and circumstance by the Chinese as he met China’s President Xi Jinping ahead of a high-stakes bilateral meeting between the two nations.

After arriving in his armored vehicle Thursday morning local time, Trump met with Xi in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in front of crowds of military personnel, dignitaries, music and children.

After shaking hands with the Chinese president, the pair introduced each other to their dignitaries and later stood beneath a ceremonial red-and-yellow canopy for a photo-op as the star-spangled banner and China’s national anthem played in the background.

“That was an honor like few I have ever seen before,” Trump said after they made their way into the Great Hall. “I think I was particularly impressed by those children. They were happy, they were beautiful. The military is obvious — it couldn’t be better — but those children were amazing, and they represent so much. And I know, I know, they represent so much to you.”

The ceremony marked the formal start of Trump’s high-stakes visit, with the pageantry outside the Great Hall giving way to a series of meetings expected to focus on trade, security and the broader effort to stabilize relations between Washington and Beijing.

During the opening ceremony, Trump walked around and admired the pomp and circumstance that included children waving flags and holding flowers.

The event included marching by Chinese soldiers and music from Chinese military bands.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel.

Trump’s upbeat China message collides with deepening Beijing rivalry

President Donald Trump opened his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping by predicting a “fantastic future together” — striking an unusually warm tone as his administration pursues new trade and investment deals with Beijing.

“In fact, the longest relationship of our two countries that any president and president has had,” Trump said at the start of the bilateral meeting Thursday local time. “We’ve had a fantastic relationship. We’ve gotten along.”

“And whenever we had a problem, we worked that out very quickly,” he continued. “We’re going to have a fantastic future together.”

The comments came as Trump arrived in Beijing accompanied by a delegation of top American executives, underscoring the administration’s focus on economic dealmaking even as broader tensions between the two countries remain unresolved.

The delegation includes executives from major U.S. firms spanning aerospace, finance, technology and agriculture, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.

White House officials said ahead of the trip that Americans should expect the president to “deliver more good deals,” with talks expected to include aerospace, agriculture and energy, as well as continued work on a proposed U.S.-China “Board of Trade” and “Board of Investment.”

A senior administration official said the potential trade framework under discussion could involve “double-digit billion” levels of commerce, along with possible purchase commitments from China in areas such as aircraft and agricultural products.

The emphasis on dealmaking comes after years of friction between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology and military competition.

This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips.

Graham says Trump-Xi summit success depends on China’s actions

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said late Wednesday that the success of President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping will depend on China’s actions afterward.

“I’m going to judge this summit by what China does,” Graham said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “Xi could pick up the phone and end the Russia-Ukraine war. He could pick up the phone and end the Iran conflict, if he chose to.”

Graham said the “only thing China respects is strength.”

“So when this is over, if they’re still doing the same thing with Iran and Russia and we don’t punish China, we’ve made a mistake,” he said.

Graham reiterated that the goal of the summit is to get China to act “more normal.”

“The bottom line is, I want a good relationship with China, but if President Trump doesn’t make it clear to President Xi that your bad actions regarding Iran and Russia — fueling terrorism and a never-ending conflict — they need to change.”

“If they change, you’ll be rewarded,” he added. “If they don’t, you’ll be punished. If we don’t communicate that, then I think we’ll have failed to achieve the goal of this summit for me, which is to get China to be more normal.”