• The United States President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing for a major summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping
• Trump said he would push President Xi to “open up” China to American companies and investors
• The summit is expected to focus heavily on trade, AI rivalry, tariffs, and rare earth exports

The United States President, Donald Trump, has said he will urge Chinese President Xi Jinping to “open up” China to American businesses as he arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, May 13, for a crucial summit expected to address trade tensions, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and the ongoing Iran conflict.

Trump, who described Xi as “a Leader of extraordinary distinction,” said he hopes American tech companies can gain greater access to the Chinese market.

“I will be asking President Xi… to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic,” Trump wrote on social media shortly after leaving Washington.

Highlighting the business-focused nature of the visit, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang travelled aboard Air Force One during a stop in Alaska, while Tesla boss Elon Musk also joined the presidential trip to China.

Other major executives, including Tim Cook, are expected in Beijing for the summit.

The visit marks the first trip by a US president to China in nearly a decade and comes amid strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Beyond trade, Trump said he expects a “long talk” with Xi over Iran, particularly because China remains a major buyer of Iranian oil despite US sanctions.

However, he downplayed tensions, saying, “I don’t think we need any help with Iran,” while adding that Xi had been “relatively good” on the issue.

China’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the visit, saying Beijing is prepared to “expand cooperation and manage differences” with Washington.

The summit, scheduled for Thursday, May 14, and Friday, May 15, will feature high-level meetings, ceremonial events, and discussions on sensitive issues including Taiwan, rare earth exports, artificial intelligence competition, and tariffs.

Trump also indicated he may discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi, a notable shift from Washington’s longstanding approach of not consulting Beijing on such matters.

The two leaders are also expected to consider extending the one-year tariff truce agreed upon during their previous meeting in South Korea last October.

Security across Beijing has visibly tightened ahead of the talks, with police monitoring key intersections and conducting identity checks at subway stations.

Speaking to AFP, a traveller from Nanjing, Wen Wen, described the summit as “definitely a big deal,” expressing hope that both nations could achieve “lasting peace” despite rising global instability.

Trump again stressed his personal rapport with Xi, claiming it could help prevent conflict over Taiwan.

“I think we’ll be fine. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. He knows I don’t want that to happen,” he said.

While Washington seeks stronger trade ties, the summit also comes at a delicate moment for China’s economy, which continues to struggle with weak domestic spending and a prolonged property sector crisis.

Trump claims China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran after Xi talks

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United States President Donald Trump said that China had agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, adding that he received personal assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping during recent diplomatic exchanges.

Trump said Beijing had committed to refraining from sending arms to Tehran.

Trump reiterated that Xi had “essentially” confirmed China would not provide military equipment to Iran. He said he had written to the Chinese leader expressing concern about reports of arms transfers.