2026 Xi-Trump summit
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Xi-Trump summit as it happened: after fanfare and banquet, day 1 of Trump’s China visit draws to a close

Presidents toast ‘most important bilateral relationship in the world’ at state dinner in Beijing

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump shake hands at the state banquet. Photo: Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping raises a toast at the state dinner. Photo: AP
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive for a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People. Photo: AP
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Temple of Heaven on Thursday. Photo: AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People. Photo: Reuters
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US President Donald Trump is meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping for a much-anticipated summit that could shape the next stage of rivalry between the world’s two superpowers.

It is the first visit to China by a US president since Trump’s last trip in 2017 and comes amid growing economic and geopolitical uncertainties arising from conflicts in the Middle East and the subsequent global energy shock that has taken a toll, particularly in Asia.

Xi and Trump are expected to discuss the war on Iran, trade, technology and Taiwan, among other points of contention during the two-day visit.

Read our live coverage of Friday’s events here

Reporting by Mark Magnier, Laura Zhou, Cao Jiaxuan, Orange Wang, Alyssa Chen, Meredith Chen, Dewey Sim and Fan Chen

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