BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping called for China and the United States to become “partners and not rivals” as crucial two-day talks with US President Donald Trump officially began in Beijing on Thursday amid rising geopolitical and trade tensions.
The summit opened with an elaborate welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, where Xi greeted Trump with a handshake before meeting senior members of the US delegation, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, long regarded as a strong critic of Beijing.
Chinese military bands performed the national anthems of both countries while schoolchildren waving Chinese and American flags welcomed the two leaders in Tiananmen Square.
Speaking during the opening session, Trump praised Xi’s leadership and expressed optimism about future ties between the world’s two largest economies.
“You’re a great leader… the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said, describing the meeting as potentially “the biggest summit ever.”
Xi, meanwhile, stressed the importance of cooperation over confrontation.
“A stable China-US relationship is a boon for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals,” Xi stated.
However, the Chinese president also issued a firm warning over Taiwan, calling it “the most important issue” in bilateral relations.
“If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” Xi warned, according to Chinese state media.
The summit agenda includes discussions on trade, tariffs, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, rare earth exports, and the ongoing Iran crisis. Trump is also expected to seek expanded market access for US firms and push for major business agreements in agriculture, aviation, and technology sectors.
Joining Trump’s delegation are several top American business leaders, including Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Tim Cook, highlighting the economic significance of the visit.
Xi separately met with US CEOs at the Great Hall of the People and assured them that “China’s door will only open wider,” promising broader opportunities for American companies operating in the country.
The visit marks Trump’s first trip to China since 2017 and comes at a sensitive moment in global politics, with the Iran conflict and the lingering US-China trade war weighing heavily on negotiations.
Trade remains a key flashpoint between the two nations after tariff battles in recent years saw duties soar above 100 percent on some products. Both sides are expected to discuss extending a one-year tariff truce reached during their last meeting in South Korea in October.
In a possible goodwill gesture ahead of negotiations, China renewed export licenses for hundreds of US beef processing plants after many had previously lost eligibility due to expired approvals. Analysts say the move could signal progress toward a broader trade agreement.
Trump is also expected to seek confirmation of a reciprocal visit by Xi to the United States later in 2026 as both leaders attempt to stabilize a relationship with far-reaching global consequences.
Story by AFP / Reuters
