DILI, 14 May 2026 (TATOLI) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday morning held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, marking their first meeting in Beijing since Trump’s state visit in 2017 during his first term.
Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening at around 7:50 p.m. local time for a three-day visit from May 13 to 15.
During their bilateral meeting, both leaders delivered opening remarks, with Trump saying he aimed to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies.
“There are those who say this is maybe the biggest summit ever,” Trump said in his opening remarks when having talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, according to Xinhua.
Trump said that the relationship between China and the U.S. is going to be better than ever before. “We’re going to have a fantastic future together,” Trump told Xi.
Trump commended Xi’s leadership during their meeting, repeatedly calling the Chinese president a great leader. “You’re a great leader. I say it to everybody. You’re a great leader,” said Trump.” “Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true. I always say the truth.”
Meanwhile, Xi told Trump that China and the United States should be partners rather than rivals, stressing that both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.
President Xi added that maintaining stable relations between the two largest global economies benefits countries worldwide.
“When we cooperate, both sides benefit; when we confront each other, both sides suffer,” Xi told Trump.
The high-level talks will focus on economic and trade issues, bilateral relations, technology, and global peace.
TATOLI
