US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping projected optimism and mutual respect during their closely watched meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday, with both leaders emphasising cooperation over rivalry despite ongoing tensions surrounding trade, technology, and regional security.
The summit, which marked Trump’s first visit to China during his second presidential term, drew worldwide attention as Washington and Beijing attempted to stabilise relations between the world’s two largest economies. Chinese officials organised a grand welcome ceremony for the American delegation, complete with a ceremonial military guard of honour and extensive diplomatic protocol.
Opening the talks, Trump praised the reception he received in Beijing, describing it as “an honour like few have ever seen before.” He also commended the Chinese military presentation and spoke warmly about the children who participated in the ceremony, saying they represented the future and spirit of China.
In his remarks, Xi framed the meeting as a significant moment for global stability amid rapidly changing geopolitical conditions. He questioned whether China and the United States could avoid the so-called “Thucydides Trap” — a term often used to describe conflict between rising and established powers — and instead build a new model of major-country relations.
Xi stressed that the two countries shared more common interests than differences and warned against confrontation between the two powers. He said both nations would benefit from cooperation and lose from conflict, adding that China and the United States “should be partners, not rivals.” The Chinese president also expressed hope that the discussions would help open a new chapter in bilateral relations and make 2026 a landmark year for ties between the two countries.
Trump, meanwhile, highlighted his longstanding personal rapport with Xi, stating that the two leaders had consistently managed to resolve disagreements through direct communication. He described their relationship as “fantastic” and predicted a strong future for US-China relations.
The American president also praised Xi’s leadership and pointed to the presence of leading US business executives in his delegation, saying American companies were eager to strengthen economic ties with China. Calling the gathering potentially historic, Trump remarked that many considered it “maybe the biggest summit ever.”
The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing confidence that stronger engagement and continued dialogue could improve relations between Beijing and Washington at a time of heightened global uncertainty.
