Trump to meet Xi in Beijing in first trip to China in nearly 10 yearspublished at 11:25 BST
Image source, ReutersUS President Donald Trump will soon arrive in Beijing – the first visit to China by a US leader in nearly 10 years – ahead of a high-stakes meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
Air Force One will on Wednesday arrive in the Chinese capital, kicking off a two-day visit that was originally meant to be held in March, but was rescheduled after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
The war, and China’s emerging role in mediating a resolution, are likely to be discussed, though Trump said before leaving the US he didn’t need Xi’s help with Iran.
Trade, technology and Taiwan are also expected to be discussed. Trump announced on Truth Social he would be asking his counterpart, who he described as a person of “extraordinary distinction”, to “open up” China to US major tech companies – whose leaders are joining him on the trip.
For Beijing’s part, top of the agenda will be extending the trade truce agreed last October that halted tariff escalation between both countries.
The trip, the first Trump has made to Beijing since 2017, will include an arrival ceremony at China’s Great Hall of the People and a stop at Zhongnanhai, the compound where China’s top leadership lives and work. We’ll bring you updates and analysis of key moments over the course of the trip.