Trump heads to China for superpower summit

May 13, 2026 / 12:26 AM

Sharjah 24 – AFP: Donald Trump is set to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday for his first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade, as he prepares for high-stakes talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on trade, security, and regional tensions.

Focus on trade, Iran, and Taiwan

Trump said he expects a “long talk” with Xi covering Iran, trade relations, and US arms sales to Taiwan, while downplaying potential disagreements and suggesting China has been “relatively good” on Iran-related issues.

High-level summit and economic tensions

The visit includes meetings on Thursday and Friday, alongside a state banquet and official events, with discussions expected to address trade disputes, rare earth exports, and longstanding tariff tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Business delegation and economic backdrop

Trump is travelling with senior US business leaders as China faces domestic economic pressures, including weak consumer demand and a property sector slowdown, adding weight to the economic agenda.

Global tensions and regional implications

The summit comes amid heightened geopolitical strain, including the Iran conflict and US sanctions on entities linked to Iranian oil shipments to China, as well as concerns in Taiwan over US commitments to the island’s security.