Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump started a crucial series of meetings in Beijing on Thursday in a U.S.-China summit where stability in the relationship is the main goal of the two days of discussions.

The White House and Chinese state media said the leaders concluded their meeting Thursday morning after about two hours. Trump is expected to leave just after midday Friday after a final private meeting with Xi. But few breakthroughs are expected on divisive issues ranging from the Iran war, trade, technology and Taiwan.

Trump hopes to focus the summit talks on trade and deals for China to buy more agricultural products and passenger planes, setting up a board to address their differences and avoid a repeat of the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes.

In their closed-door meeting, Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is handled well, U.S.-China relations “will enjoy overall stability.” If not, the two countries risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi said, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.

Trump in December authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. The U.S. has not yet moved forward with delivery.

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US treasury secretary says the public will hear from Trump this evening or tomorrow on Taiwan

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was asked in a CNBC interview about whether China was pushing the U.S. to limit arm sales to Taiwan, the self-governing island China considers to be part of its own territory.

Bessent said he’s confident Trump “understands the issues” and will be “very resolute” in his response.

The treasury secretary did not preview what that response would be as the administration has authorized an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan.

“I’m not going to get out ahead of the president,” Bessent said. “You’ll be hearing more from him either this evening, tomorrow.”

Rubio says Trump raised Iran in talks with Xi but ‘he didn’t ask him for anything’

“We’re not asking for China’s help. We don’t need their help,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with NBC News.

He said China agreed with the U.S. that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and brought that up in their meetings.

He said the Chinese told the U.S. team in meetings that, “they are not in favor of militarizing the straits of Hormuz, and they’re not in favor of a tolling system.”

“It’s good that we have alliance, or at least agreement on that point,” Rubio said.

Wall Street heads for gains before the bell as Trump and Xi meet

Wall Street is poised to open with gains Thursday following another record-setting day and developments emerging from President Trump’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

S&P futures rose 0.3%, while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.7%. Nasdaq futures gained 0.2% early. The S&P and Nasdaq both hit record highs Wednesday.

Oil prices were effectively unchanged, with no clear ending to the Iran war after more than two months. Some were hoping the Trump-Xi meeting could bring results, after U.S. officials said Beijing could use its close economic ties with Tehran to press Iran to reopen the Strait or Hormuz.

On Thursday, the White House said Trump and Xi discussed enhancing U.S.-China economic cooperation. Both sides also agreed the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened.

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Trump peppers toast with historical references to illustrate US-China ties

During Donald Trump’s toast at the state banquet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the U.S. president said citizens of the United States and China have long shared a “deep sense of mutual respect” and used history to illustrate the point.

Benjamin Franklin published the sayings of the philosopher Confucius, Trump said.

Chinese admirers of President George Washington gifted a stone tablet honoring his memory to adorn the Washington Monument. The tablet was inscribed with the words of a Chinese official who called Washington a great general and statesman, Trump said.

Chinese workers helped lay the railroad tracks that connected the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States while American travelers to China helped spread literacy and modern medicine, he said.

Trump also noted President Theodore Roosevelt, acting on a request from China’s ambassador, provided money to establish Xi’s alma mater, Tsinghua University.

What’s for dinner at China’s state banquet

The menu, according to the White House, included some Chinese elements.

Lobster in Tomato Soup, Crispy Beef Ribs, Beijing Roast Duck, Stewed Seasonal Vegetables and Slow-Cooked Salmon in Mustard Sauce.

Guests also dined on Pan-Fried Pork Bun, Trumpet Shell-Shaped Pastry and Tiramisu, as well as fruits and ice cream.

Musk was a draw for selfies at the Trump-Xi banquet

Before the leaders entered the room, a steady stream of guests approached Elon Musk at his table, snapping selfies with the tech CEO.

Lei Jun, CEO of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, was seen shaking hands with Musk and taking a selfie with him.

Trump and Xi could meet up to 4 times in 2026

U.S. and Chinese officials say Trump and Xi could potentially meet four times in 2026.

The meetings could include the Group of 20 meeting in Miami and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Guangzhou later this year.

Trump invites Xi to visit White House in September

Trump extended a Sept. 24 invitation to Xi and his wife, Madame Peng, during his reciprocal toast.

“And we look forward to it,” Trump said.

He also thanked Xi for his hospitality.

“This has been an amazing period of time,” Trump said.

Trump recounts ‘fantastic day’ in China to open banquet toast

“This is a great honor. It was a fantastic day,” Trump said. “It really was a magnificent welcome like none other.”

He described his talks with Xi as “extremely positive conversations” and said everything that they discussed was “all good for the United States and China.

“And it was a great honor to be with you,” the U.S. president said, referring to his Chinese counterpart.

Xi says U.S.-China relationship is most important in the world

Xi Jinping called for the China and the U.S. to work together as partners rather than rivals in an opening toast ahead of the state banquet that was largely positive though measured.

“We both believe that China and the U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. We must make it work and never mess it up,” Xi said.

Xi noted it was the 250th anniversary of American independence.

“Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America Great Again can go hand in hand,” he said. “Both China and U.S. stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, should be partners rather than rivals.”

He then toasted Trump and the audience.

Taiwan calls China the ‘only risk’ to regional stability

“China is currently the only risk to regional peace and stability,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Affairs said in response to Xi’s warning Thursday for the U.S. to be careful.

“Even during the meeting between the leaders of the United States and China, the People’s Liberation Army continued to send military aircraft and ships to harass and threaten Taiwan in the region,” the ministry said.

Xi said “Taiwan independence” and cross-strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water, while noting the issue was the most important in the bilateral relationship.

Xi’s wording on Taiwan may indicate Trump didn’t budge

Xi’s stark warning to Trump over Taiwan may indicate the U.S. president did not make concessions Thursday over the island democracy China claims as its own, an analyst said.

Any meaningful concession would have been reflected in Beijing’s official readout of the meeting, said William Yang, a senior analyst for Northeast Asia for International Crisis Group.

“The lack of such mention and the relatively stern tone suggest Trump may not have budged on Taiwan in principle,” Yang said.

Wen-Ti Sung of the Atlantic Council said Xi’s warning of potential conflict signaled Taiwan remains the Chinese government’s biggest red line.

“Taiwan is the identity-defining issue in U.S.-China relations: get Taiwan right and we are friends; get Taiwan wrong and we might become foes before you know it,” Sung said.

What Trump and Xi discussed at the Temple of Heaven

U.S. reporters were mainly kept far away from the leaders when they toured the UNESCO heritage site.

But China’s official Xinhua News Agency cited Trump as being impressed to see the Temple of Heaven still standing tall and magnificent after over 600 years, showcasing exquisite Chinese classical architectural art.

Xi said ancient Chinese rulers held sacrificial ceremonies at the temple to pray for national peace and prosperity.

Xi said it showed the traditional Chinese thought that “the people are the foundation of the state, and when the foundation is solid, the state is stable,” according to Xinhua.

Trump said he vividly remembers his 2017 visit to the Forbidden City, Xinhua reported.

Trump attends Chinese state banquet in his honor

The affair brought Trump back to the Great Hall of the People, where he opened his first full day in Beijing in closed-door talks with Xi.

Inside the hall, round tables were draped with white tablecloths.

Key members of Trump’s Cabinet including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent milled about before Trump arrived.

Chinese premier stresses cooperation in talk with US executives

Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed the need for friendship and cooperation in U.S.-China ties as he spoke with U.S. business leaders accompanying President Donald Trump in Beijing.

Li met executives including Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on the sidelines of Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“China and the United States have been able to maintain frank and smooth dialogue and communication and actively safeguard a stable and healthy bilateral relationship” despite international turbulence, Li said.

Collaboration is needed for “mutual success and shared prosperity,” Li added.

China’s language shows ‘core’ focus on Taiwan

China has ramped up its language around Taiwan by noting repeatedly in recent weeks that Taiwan is the “core” of its interests and a key to ensuring a stable relationship with the U.S.

Trump has demanded Taiwan increase defense spending and in December the White House announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the largest ever to the island democracy.

Ma Chun-wei, an expert in China-Taiwan relations at Taiwan’s Tamkang University, said the elevated defense relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has caused China to increase its rhetoric over Taiwan.

“For Xi Jinping, he must show that the Taiwan issue is in China’s hands. He must demonstrate this image, or else he would be criticized,” Ma said.

Trump and Xi discussed Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz

The leaders were in agreement that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be opened to support global energy needs, according to a readout of their Thursday meeting by a White House official.

Xi also opposed any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the strait, which effectively has closed since the start of the U.S. and Israel war against Iran.

Xi expressed interest in China purchasing more U.S. oil to reduce future Chinese dependence on Gulf oil, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The leaders also discussed further stemming the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. and increasing Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products.

China’s commerce ministry open to expanded US cooperation

China is willing to work with the U.S. to continuously expand its cooperation list, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian said Thursday.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent engaged in “candid, in-depth and constructive” exchanges in South Korea on Wednesday, He said.

For the next step, China is willing to work with the U.S. to expand their cooperation based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual benefit, He said.

They also would shorten the problem list while promoting healthy economic and trade ties between the sides, He said.

Chinese social media finds humor in Trump comment about executives

A comment by Donald Trump about the U.S. business executives chosen to accompany him to China has become a source of humor on Chinese social media.

“I didn’t want the second or the third in the company. I wanted only the top, and they’re here today to pay respects to you and to China,” Trump told Xi when the leaders met Thursday.

Trump’s comments was ranked second in trending topics on Weibo, a social media platform curated by censors.

The posts included jokes about how the corporate executives were grateful to be there and pictures of them flashing a thumbs-up sign while leaving the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.

Analyst says Xi is setting boundaries

George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group consultancy, said Xi wants to set clear boundaries on what the U.S. can and cannot do with China.

Politically it’s all about Taiwan, Chen said, noting Xi’s opposition to independence for the island democracy.

“He makes the ‘red line’ crystal clear,” he said.

Chen said Xi has sought to reassure U.S. businesspeople that China is a place they can make money, which could be seen as Xi’s response to Trump’s demand for China to provide a more favorable environment for U.S. firms.

Chen said Xi suggested the relationship’s “strategic stability” can continue at least for the rest of Trump’s term, which can be perceived as progress.

Ukraine ties a Russian attack on Kyiv to the Beijing summit

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha tied an overnight attack on Kyiv to the Xi-Trump summit, saying the assault proved Russia was a threat to international security.

“At the very time when leaders of the most powerful countries are meeting in Beijing, and the world hopes for peace, predictability and cooperation, Putin launched hundreds of drones, ballistic and cruise missiles at the capital of Ukraine,” Sybiha said on Telegram.

He said there should be “no illusions” about ending the Russian war on Ukraine.

“Only pressure on Moscow can make him stop,” Sybiha said of Putin, adding that U.S. and Chinese leaders had sufficient leverage to compel Russia to end the conflict.

Taiwan thanks US for support after China warning

Taiwan said it is grateful for the long-term support of the United States after Xi warned Trump on Thursday about potential “clashes and even conflicts” over the self-ruled island China claims as its own.

“The government views all actions that contribute to regional stability and the management of potential risks from authoritarian expansion positively and continues to work with the United States in various aspects of our relationship,” said Michelle Lee, a spokesperson for Taiwan’s premier.

Taiwan has stayed in close contact with the U.S. on national security and diplomacy, Lee said.

“The U.S. has also repeatedly reiterated its firm and clear position of support for Taiwan,” Lee said.

Trump and Xi exchange views on the Middle East, state media reports

Trump and Xi have exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula, the official Xinhua News Agency reported without providing additional details of the discussion.

The wars in Iran and Ukraine and relations with North Korea have been sources of tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Trump and Xi agreed to support each other this year by hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, and the G20 Summit in Florida, Xinhua reported.

Xi calls for stability in relationship with US

Xi said he and Trump agreed to establish a new orientation for U.S.-China relations that is “constructive, strategic and stable.”

Xi said the bilateral relationship should take this direction for the next three years and beyond, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency.

Xi said this new strategic orientation should have “limits to competition” and “differences are managed.”

Xi said both sides should use political, diplomatic and military communication channels to ensure the goals.

Brett Ratner confirms he is in China for ‘Rush Hour 4’

The director got to China by flying with Trump aboard Air Force One.

He told the White House press pool he is in Beijing to prep for filming the fourth installment of the movie series, which Trump is said to be interested in.

Ratner directed first lady Melania Trump’s recent movie about her life in the weeks before her husband returned to office.

Xi says China-US economic ties are win-win, state media reports

Economic ties between China and the United States are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump during their talks, according to the Chinese official news agency Xinhua.

“Yesterday, our economic and trade teams produced generally balanced and positive outcomes. This is good news for the people of the two countries and the world,” Xi said.

The Chinese president said facts have shown time and again there are no winners in trade wars, calling on both sides to jointly sustain the good momentum they have worked hard to build, Xinhua reported.

“Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice,” he said.

Trump concludes tour of Temple of Heaven

Trump was expected to return to his hotel before he returns to the Great Hall of the People to attend a state banquet in his honor.

Asian shares mixed and Chinese stocks trade lower

Asian shares were mixed Thursday as investors closely monitored takeaways from U.S. President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The Shanghai Composite index lost 1% to 4,199.19. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.3% to 26,478.99. Markets in Japan and South Korea were higher, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 up 0.2% and Seoul’s Kospi gaining 1%.

Investors are watching for progress on the Iran war and U.S.-China trade relations from the Xi-Trump summit, as well as possible trade deals on areas such as soybeans, airplanes and chips.

Trump declines to say if he and Xi discussed Taiwan

Trump said, “great,” when reporters asked how the talks with Xi went. But that’s about all he said.

Follow-up questions about whether they discussed Taiwan were asked.

Trump didn’t answer as he posed alongside Xi for photos after they arrived at the Temple of Heaven.

XI says door to American business opening wider

Xi said China’s door of opening to American business will only open wider and wider he told American CEOs on Thursday morning during his meeting with Trump, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said American companies are deeply participating in China’s reform and opening, with both sides benefiting from this. He said China welcomes the U.S. to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China and believes American businesses will have even broader prospects in China, according to Xinhua.

Trump said the business leaders he brought along all respect and value China and he encourages them to expand cooperation with China, the report said.

Trump introduced the business leaders to Xi one by one. The business people said they highly value China’s market, hope to deepen their operations in China and strengthen cooperation with China, the report added.

Traveling to China as part of the U.S. delegation are some 17 CEOs, including Tesla’s Elon Musk, Apple’s Tim Cook and Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, the White House says.

— This item has been corrected to indicate the meeting took place Thursday.

Trump arrives at Temple of Heaven

The 15th century temple was Trump’s next stop after meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People.

A tour was planned.

Trump and Xi wrap up meeting after about two hours

The White House and Chinese state media said the leaders concluded their meeting after about two hours of talks.

The leaders discussed trade, Taiwan and other differences in the U.S.-China relationship

Xi warns Trump differences over Taiwan could bring US and China to clashes or conflict, state media reports

In a closed-door meeting Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is handled well, U.S.-China relations “will enjoy overall stability,” according to a readout of their bilateral talks published by the official Xinhua News Agency.

If not, however, the two countries risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi was reported to have said.

Xi says the US and China should be ‘partners rather than rivals’

The U.S. and China should be “partners rather than rivals,” Xi told Trump ahead of their bilateral talks.

“I always believed that the common interests between China and the U.S. outweigh their differences,” Xi said. “Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both.”

Xi added that he wanted 2026 to be a “landmark year” in the countries’

Xi congratulates US for coming 250th anniversary of independence

The Chinese leader took a moment to note the coming anniversary — something that is a big deal for Trump.

The massive monthslong celebration is to include a “Great American State Fair” in Washington and a UFC fight night on the South Lawn of the White House.

“This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. I extend my congratulations to you and to the American people,” Xi said. He added, “I firmly believe the common interests between China and the United States are bigger than our differences.”

Xi offers more cautionary tone at start of talks

The leaders offered warm words about each other and hope for the future of U.S-China relations as they opened their bilateral talks.

But Xi sounded more cautionary about what lies ahead for the world’s biggest economic powers.

“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Xi said. “The two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve success together and pursue common prosperity, and chart a correct path for major-country relations in the new era.”

Why Xi is asking Trump for US and China to avoid the ‘Thucydides Trap’

In remarks welcoming Trump, Xi name-checked an ancient Greek historian to express his hopes that the U.S. and China can avoid conflict, saying that history, the world and its people were asking “whether the two countries can transcend the “Thucydides Trap” and forge a new model for relations between major powers.

“He was using a term that’s popular in foreign policy studies, referring to the idea that when a rising power threatens to displace an established power, the result is often war.

It comes from Thucydides’ account of the destructive Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, in which he remarked that “It was the rise of Athens, and the fear that rise engendered in Sparta, that made war inevitable.”

Xi says the world is at a crossroads, marked by turbulence and uncertainty

The Chinese leader in his opening remarks at the summit underscored the importance of the moment for the two world powers and said the question before China and the United States is “whether the two countries can work together to meet challenges and bring greater stability to the world.”

“Can we, in the interest of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations?” Xi said.