Xi and Trump Meet in Beijing, Agree on New U.S.-China Framework

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held formal talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of Wednesday, May 14, 2026, as Trump arrived in China for a state visit, pledging a new bilateral framework that both sides described as a historic turning point in relations between the world's two most powerful nations.

Xi opened the summit by posing three defining questions for the era: whether the two countries could avoid the "Thucydides Trap" of great-power conflict and forge a new model for major-country relations; whether they could jointly address global challenges and inject greater stability into the world; and whether they could work toward a shared future for the benefit of both peoples and humanity. He called these questions "the historical, global and public mandate" that leaders of great powers must answer together.

"I am willing to work with President Trump to navigate this great ship of China-U.S. relations and make 2026 a historic and landmark year." — Xi Jinping

A New Framework

Xi announced that both presidents had agreed to define the bilateral relationship as a "constructive strategic stable relationship" — a formulation he said would serve as a strategic guide for at least the next three years. Xi described the concept as comprising four pillars: "positive stability" anchored in cooperation; "healthy competition" conducted within appropriate bounds; "normal stability" with manageable disagreements; and "durable stability" in which peace can be expected and sustained. He emphasized that the new designation was "not a slogan" but a call to action requiring movement from both sides.

Trade and Economic Issues

On economic matters, Xi said the fundamental nature of China-U.S. trade ties was mutual benefit and that "equal consultation is the only correct choice" when facing frictions and differences. He noted that economic teams from both countries had reached a broadly positive and balanced outcome the day before the summit, describing it as "good news for the people of both countries and for the world." Xi reaffirmed that China's door to the outside world would only open wider and welcomed deeper American business involvement in China's reform and development.

Taiwan: The Paramount Issue

Xi issued a pointed warning on Taiwan, calling it "the most important issue in China-U.S. relations." He said that if handled well, the relationship could maintain overall stability; if handled poorly, the two countries could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire relationship into "extremely dangerous territory." Xi stated that "Taiwan independence" and peace in the Taiwan Strait were fundamentally incompatible, and that maintaining peace and stability across the strait represented the greatest common denominator between the two sides. He urged Washington to handle the issue with the utmost care.

Trump's Response

Trump said he was deeply honored to be making a state visit to China and called the U.S.-China relationship "very good." He described his personal bond with Xi as the longest and strongest relationship between American and Chinese leaders in history, saying the two had maintained friendly communication and resolved many important issues. Trump called Xi "a great leader" and China "a great country," adding that the day's meeting was "one of the most important meetings in the world." He expressed a desire to work with Xi to strengthen communication and cooperation, properly resolve differences, and open the best era in U.S.-China relations in history. Trump said the two countries were the most important and powerful in the world and that cooperation between them could "accomplish great things for both countries and for the world." He also noted that he had brought a delegation of prominent U.S. business leaders to Beijing and personally encouraged them to expand cooperation with China.

Ceremony and Other Topics

Before the talks began, Xi hosted a formal welcoming ceremony for Trump on the plaza outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. On Trump's arrival, an honor guard presented arms; the two leaders mounted a reviewing platform while a military band played the national anthems of both countries; a 21-gun salute was fired at Tiananmen Square; and Trump, accompanied by Xi, reviewed the People's Liberation Army Honor Guard and observed a march-past.

During the talks, Trump individually introduced each member of his business delegation to Xi. The two presidents also exchanged views on major international and regional issues including the situation in the Middle East, the crisis in Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula. They agreed to mutually support each other in hosting this year's APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting and G20 Summit.

Senior Chinese officials Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and He Lifeng participated in the talks.