President Donald Trump began his much-vaunted official state visit to China this week for talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The two leaders met at the Zhongnanhai garden in Beijing on Thursday, where they discussed a range of issues including trade and oil purchases.
During their meeting, President Trump highlighted that he believes Xi likes the idea of buying more US oil. This comes as both nations seek to ease tensions and potentially find common ground amid ongoing disputes over economic policies and global leadership roles.
In addition to energy discussions, the visit has included a ceremonial welcome, talks at historical sites such as the Temple of Heaven, and a lavish banquet hosted by Chinese officials. The two leaders also addressed issues like Taiwan during their bilateral meeting on Thursday morning, with Xi using this sensitive topic to exert some influence over Trump's decisions.
The main event was marked by a handshake between Trump and Xi at the Temple of Heaven on May 14, 2026. This gesture symbolized the start of diplomatic exchanges aimed at strengthening relations despite existing differences in policy approaches.
Following their talks, both leaders expressed a shared desire to resolve conflicts over Iran's ongoing war. President Trump stated that China feels "very similar" about ending this conflict, though no specific details were provided regarding potential breakthroughs or plans for cooperation.
The visit is the first by an American president since 2017 and aims to ease trade issues between global superpowers while addressing other pressing concerns such as oil imports and diplomatic standing in Asia. The outcome of these talks will be closely watched, with expectations that they could set a new tone for Sino-American relations moving forward.
The next steps involve continued negotiations on specific terms related to the energy deal and broader economic cooperation. Trump's team hopes this visit will lay groundwork for future agreements while managing China’s concerns over Taiwan.
This article was produced by AVALW News on Friday, May 15, 2026 based on reporting from 7 verified news sources across 2 countries. Our editorial process cross-references facts from multiple independent outlets to deliver accurate, comprehensive coverage. All original sources are linked below.