US President Donald Trump told China’s Xi Jinping on Thursday that their countries would have “a fantastic future together,” as the two leaders began a superpower summit in Beijing. Talks cover thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. The visit is the first by a US president to China in nearly a decade.

What did Trump and Xi say to each other at the Beijing summit?

Trump heaped praise on his host, telling Xi it was “an honor to be your friend.” Xi, in less effusive tones, said the two sides “should be partners and not rivals” and questioned whether both countries could build cooperation rather than head for confrontation.

“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Xi said.

Xi greeted Trump with a red carpet welcome at the Great Hall of the People, complete with a military band, a gun salute and schoolchildren chanting “welcome!” Xi also declared that “a stable China-US relationship is a boon for the world,” framing the summit as the start of a new chapter in bilateral ties.

What is on the agenda for the Trump-Xi summit?

Trade tops the agenda, with Trump pushing Xi to “open up” China to US firms. He vowed on social media aboard Air Force One to give American businesses the chance to “work their magic” in the Chinese market.

Elite executives including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Tesla’s Elon Musk attended the welcome ceremony, with Musk calling the meeting “wonderful” and Huang saying the two presidents “were incredible.”

The long-running trade war between the two countries will also be central to discussions. Trump’s sweeping tariffs last year triggered retaliatory levies exceeding 100 percent.

The two leaders are expected to discuss extending a one-year tariff truce reached at their last meeting in South Korea in October, though a deal is far from certain.

Business deals on agriculture, aircraft and other sectors are also on Trump’s wish list for the summit.

How does the Iran war threaten to overshadow the talks?

The Iran conflict is a new and complicating addition to the summit agenda, having already forced Trump to postpone the trip from March. Iran sells most of its US-sanctioned oil to China, giving Beijing potential leverage.

Trump said he expected a “long talk” with Xi on the issue but insisted: “I don’t think we need any help with Iran.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a different tone. Known throughout his career as a fierce opponent of Beijing, Rubio said Washington hoped to convince China “to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they are doing now” in the Persian Gulf.

What else is expected to come up between Trump and Xi?

Taiwan remains a sensitive issue. Trump said Monday he would raise US arms sales to the self-governing democracy with Xi, a potential departure from Washington’s longstanding position of not consulting Beijing on support for the island.

Taipei and US allies in the region will be watching closely.

China’s controls on rare earth exports and AI rivalry are also expected to feature in talks. Trump will attend a state banquet with Xi in the evening and visit the historic Temple of Heaven.

Both sides are looking to leave the summit with tangible wins while stabilizing a bilateral relationship with significant global implications. Trump also hopes to secure a firm date for a reciprocal Xi visit to the United States later in 2026.