Trump Arrives in Beijing for Talks With Xi Jinping on Iran War, Trade, Taiwan

President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing late Wednesday evening for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with the summit’s main bilateral segment set for Thursday at the Great Hall of the People.

“When President Donald Trump meets with his counterpart, Xi Jinping, a new item will be added to the long list of issues of mutual interest and potential disagreement between the United States and China: the war in Iran”

Al Jazeera

The Chicago Tribune said Trump’s Beijing swing would feature a ceremony and a state banquet, and it reported that Trump and Xi would also attend a working tea and lunch on Friday.

Al Jazeera

The AP reported that the Chinese offered Trump a pomp-filled welcome after Air Force One landed, including a military honor guard, a military band, and some 300 Chinese youths waving Chinese and American flags and chanting, “Welcome, welcome! Warm welcome!”

The AP also said Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Tuesday, “We’re the two superpowers,” and it added that he said China was “considered second.”

The Chicago Tribune framed the agenda around trade, U.S. relations with Taiwan, and the war in Iran, noting that the U.S. and Israel’s war in Iran has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and energy prices spiking.

Al Jazeera reported that when Trump meets Xi, the war in Iran would be added to the list of issues, but it quoted Christopher Heurlin saying, “The Iran issue is not really the central issue for either party in this summit.”

Al Jazeera also quoted Heurlin saying, “They hosted the Iranian foreign minister recently, but it seems like they’ve been holding off on putting any pressure on Iran to end the conflict, just waiting for this visit.”

AP News

The Chicago Tribune said China is the largest purchaser of Iranian oil, while Trump has sought to downplay suggestions he will press Xi to do more to pressure Iran to open the strait, even as White House officials say he will make that case behind closed doors.

The Chicago Tribune further reported that the Trump administration has approved an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan but has yet to begin fulfilling it, and it said the administration’s stance is that it “does not support” Taiwanese independence.

The DW report said Trump told he will ask Xi in their meeting to 'open up' China to US business, while it also said Trump said he would discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi.

The Chicago Tribune said the White House has insisted Trump wouldn’t be making the trip without an eye toward securing results before he leaves, suggesting there could be announcements on trade, including a Chinese commitment to buy U.S. soybeans, beef and aircraft.

“Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China’s Xi on Iran war, trade and US arms sales to Taiwan Trump arrives in Beijing for talks with China’s Xi on Iran war, trade and US arms sales to Taiwan BEIJING (AP) — U”

AP News

The AP reported that Trump is seeking a win by signing deals with China to buy more American soybeans, beef and aircraft, and it said the Trump administration hopes to begin establishing a Board of Trade with China to address differences between the countries.

The Edge Malaysia said the leaders would discuss trade, tariffs and the self-ruled island of Taiwan, and it quoted Jeremy Chan saying, “Xi is coming into the summit feeling confident he has solved Trump.”

The Edge Malaysia also said the unresolved Iran conflict could turn the meeting into a test of China’s willingness to help on Iran instead of an in-depth session on trade and economic differences, and it quoted Craig Singleton saying, “Iran could overshadow” the gathering.

The Chicago Tribune warned that spending time with Xi will afford ample time for Trump to discuss thorny topics including Iran and trade, but also Taiwan and a possible three-way nuclear arms deal featuring Washington, Beijing and Russia, with progress beyond pleasantries predicted to be elusive.