Trump in China: On Day 1, Xi Jinping warns him on Taiwan
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Amid a well-choreographed, immaculate red-carpet reception, US President Donald Trump landed at the Beijing International Airport, only to find Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng receiving him.
Trump, who has been blowing hot and cold on China, and many other countries, is expecting to address trade tensions, the Iran issue, and business for the US. During Trump’s previous visit in 2017, a lower-ranking official, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, was dispatched instead to greet him.
On Thursday, President Xi Jinping warned Trump that differences over Taiwan could bring the US and China to clashes or conflict, according to Chinese state-controlled media outlets.
The early meeting between the two leaders was behind closed doors, but Xi told Trump that, if Taiwan is handled well, US-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 said.
Trump is set to engage in two days of discussions with Xi Jinping, which were initially scheduled for March but were postponed following the attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
The primary emphasis of the discussions is to repair the strained trade relations between the two superpowers.
Trump mentioned that he would request Xi to “open up” China’s economy for significant technology firms.
He also expects an extensive discussion regarding Iran, although he maintained that he did not require China’s assistance to resolve the conflict.
Trump remarked that Xi had been “relatively positive” concerning Iran, adding that it would be an “exciting trip” and that many positive developments are expected to occur.
Xi would advocate the cessation of US arms sales to Taiwan, as well as for the prolongation of the trade truce established in October 2025, which put a stop to the escalation of tariff war between the US and China.
Chinese media indicated that Beijing is seeking a “better future” with the US, aiming for a relationship that would provide greater “stability and certainty” in an unpredictable world.
Trump’s team
Trump and the US delegation, which included his son Eric Trump, daughter-in-law Lara Trump, and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, stepped off Air Force One onto a rolled-out red carpet at the Beijing International Airport.
They were welcomed by senior officials while hundreds of young individuals waved the US and Chinese flags, chanting in unison to the tunes played by a military band. “Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome!”
Among those welcoming him on the tarmac were Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, US Ambassador to China David Perdue, and Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng.
