TRUMP ARRIVES IN CHINA FOR HIGH-STAKES TALKS WITH XI ON TRADE, TAIWAN AND IRAN

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Agency Report

Donald Trump was expected in Beijing on Wednesday for the first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade, as Washington and Beijing prepare for crucial discussions on trade, Taiwan and the escalating conflict involving Iran.

Trump departed Washington on Tuesday for the highly anticipated trip, which marks his first visit to China since 2017.

Speaking before leaving the White House, the US president said he expected to hold extensive talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, particularly on the war involving Iran, which remains a major oil supplier to China despite US sanctions.

“I expect a long talk,” Trump said, while also downplaying tensions with Beijing over Iran.

“He’s been relatively good, to be honest with you,” Trump said of Xi, adding, “I don’t think we need any help with Iran. We’ll win it one way or the other. We’ll win it peacefully or otherwise.”

The summit between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies is expected to include discussions on trade relations, rare earth exports, regional security and US arms sales to Taiwan.

Trump indicated earlier this week that he intended to discuss US military support for Taiwan directly with Xi — a notable shift from long-standing US policy, which traditionally avoids consultation with Beijing over arms support to the island.

The visit comes amid ongoing economic tensions between both countries. China and the United States are currently operating under a one-year tariff truce reached during Trump and Xi’s last meeting in South Korea in October.

Trump has repeatedly criticised China’s large trade surplus with the United States and previously imposed tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term in office.

The US president is also travelling with a delegation of major American business executives, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, according to the White House.

The visit comes at a delicate period for China’s economy, which continues to face weak domestic spending and a prolonged crisis in the property sector.

Security was visibly heightened in Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival, with police reportedly monitoring key intersections and conducting identity checks at metro stations.

Residents interviewed by AFP expressed cautious optimism over the summit.

“Some progress will certainly be made,” said Wen Wen, a visitor from Nanjing, adding that she hoped both nations could maintain “lasting peace” amid global instability.

The ongoing Iran conflict has further complicated relations between Washington and Beijing. Earlier this week, the US Treasury sanctioned several individuals and entities, including firms based in Hong Kong, accused of facilitating Iranian oil shipments to China.

Reacting to the sanctions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing “firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions.”

Trump’s remarks on Taiwan are also expected to be closely monitored by officials in Taipei, amid concerns over whether Washington’s commitment to the island could shift during negotiations with China.

However, Trump insisted his relationship with Xi would help prevent conflict.

“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.