WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is set to visit China in May for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking his first trip to Beijing in eight years after the visit was postponed due to the ongoing Iran conflict.
According to the White House, the two leaders will meet in Beijing on May 14–15. Trump also announced plans to host Xi in Washington later this year for a reciprocal visit.
In a social media post, Trump said preparations for the “historic visits” were being finalised and expressed optimism about the upcoming talks.
China’s embassy stated it had no immediate information regarding the visit, noting that Beijing typically releases details of the president’s schedule shortly before official trips.
The visit had originally been planned for earlier but was delayed amid the ongoing Middle East conflict and evolving geopolitical developments. Trump’s last visit to China was in 2017, and the upcoming meeting will mark the first in-person talks between the two leaders since their meeting in South Korea in October, where they agreed on a trade truce.
Officials said the visit will combine ceremonial events with discussions on trade, regional security, and other strategic issues. Possible agreements could include cooperation in agriculture and aviation, while sensitive topics such as Taiwan are also expected to be discussed.
The White House noted that tensions in the Middle East and concerns over global oil supply, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, could also feature in the talks. US officials have sought support from major oil consumers, including China, to address the crisis.
The administration continues to aim for a resolution to the Iran conflict within a four to six-week timeframe, officials added.