Trump, Xi meet in Beijing for high-stakes summit
Key takeaways
- Xi greeted Trump at the opulent Great Hall of the People at just past 10:00am (0200 GMT), a grand reception that belies the deep tensions between the world’s biggest economies.
- Accompanied by Trump, Xi shook hands with several US officials, including Pentagon Peter Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was known throughout his career as a fierce opponent of Beijing.
- Trump and Xi stood in the centre as a Chinese military band played The Star-Spangled Banner and then the Chinese national anthem as cannons fired.
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
US President Donald Trump walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping upon arrival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. — Reuters Listen to article 1x 1.2x 1.5x comments Join our Whatsapp Channel Add Dawn as a trusted source Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump with a handshake on Thursday in Beijing for a superpower summit on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan.
Xi greeted Trump at the opulent Great Hall of the People at just past 10:00am (0200 GMT), a grand reception that belies the deep tensions between the world’s biggest economies.
Accompanied by Trump, Xi shook hands with several US officials, including Pentagon Peter Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was known throughout his career as a fierce opponent of Beijing.