President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, kicking off a closely watched visit aimed at easing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
According to the New York Post, Trump landed at Beijing Capital International Airport to an elaborate welcome ceremony that included a military band, an honor guard, and hundreds of young people waving American and Chinese flags.
Among those greeting the president were US Ambassador to China David Perdue, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, China’s ambassador to Washington Xie Feng, and Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu.
Trump appeared energized by the reception, greeting crowds with his signature fist pumps before departing the airport with members of his delegation.
Traveling with the president were his son Eric Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk, and Jensen Huang.
Trump is expected to meet privately with Xi on Thursday at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People before attending a state dinner. Additional meetings between the two leaders are scheduled for Friday before Trump returns to Washington.
Ahead of the trip, Trump highlighted the long list of major American business leaders accompanying the delegation, including Tim Cook, Larry Fink, Stephen Schwarzman, Kelly Ortberg, and David Solomon.
“I will be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic, and help bring the People’s Republic to an even higher level!” Trump wrote on Truth Social before landing in Beijing.
“In fact, I promise, that when we are together, which will be in a matter of hours, I will make that my very first request.”
The visit comes after years of economic friction between Washington and Beijing.
Under President Trump, tariffs on Chinese imports climbed sharply, at times reaching triple digits, while China responded with restrictions on rare earth exports. The US also limited advanced chip sales to China amid concerns over artificial intelligence development.
Despite those clashes, Trump has repeatedly emphasized his personal relationship with Xi and expressed optimism about improving trade ties.
The president said Tuesday that Xi is expected to make a return visit to the United States later this year.
Trump’s trip had originally been planned for April but was delayed because of the conflict involving Iran. A cease-fire has been in place since April 8.
Lawmakers, including Lindsey Graham, have accused China of helping prop up Iran through intelligence support, oil purchases, and other assistance.
Trump, however, downplayed those concerns before departing for Beijing.
“I think he’s been relatively good [on Iran], to be honest with you,” Trump told reporters.
In addition to trade and investment, discussions between the two leaders are expected to include artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons, Taiwan, and human rights concerns involving jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai and Pastor Ezra Jin.
