By Amjad Qaimkhani
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump will travel to China in May for high-level talks with Xi Jinping, marking his first visit to Beijing in eight years after the trip was delayed due to the Iran war.
The US president said he would visit Beijing on May 14 and 15, adding that he plans to host Xi in Washington later this year for a reciprocal visit.
Trump said preparations for the “historic visits” were being finalised and expressed optimism about what he described as a “monumental” meeting with the Chinese leader.
The visit, initially scheduled earlier, was postponed as Trump focused on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, reflecting his attempt to balance wartime leadership with managing ties between the world’s two largest economies.
Officials said the trip is expected to combine ceremonial engagements with substantive discussions on trade and geopolitical tensions, including the sensitive issue of Taiwan.
Relations between United States and China have remained strained, particularly over US arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. A Chinese defence ministry spokesperson urged Washington to handle the matter with “extreme caution”.
The leaders are also expected to address broader global challenges, including the economic impact of the Iran conflict. Trump has sought support from major oil-consuming nations, including China, to counter Tehran’s moves in the Strait of Hormuz, though Beijing has not publicly responded.
The upcoming meeting will be the first in-person talks between Trump and Xi since their last encounter in South Korea, where they agreed on a temporary trade truce.
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