Trump offers platitudes while Xi warns of possible confrontation during
China summit
[May 14, 2026]
By WILL WEISSERT and AAMER MADHANI
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered stark warnings about
avoiding possible clashes between his nation and the U.S. on Thursday,
and even cautioned visiting President Donald Trump that Washington’s
handling of its relations with Taiwan could lead to “conflicts.”
His tone was a sharp contrast to Trump, who opened the highly
anticipated summit with Xi by praising his Chinese counterpart and
declaring that “it’s an honor to be your friend.”
It underscored just how far apart the leaders remain on thorny issues
including the war in Iran, trade disputes and Taiwan — and suggested
that Trump's three-day visit to China is likely to be longer on
pageantry and symbolism than major bilateral breakthroughs.
The pair met for about two hours behind closed doors at the Great Hall
of the People and discussed trade and other issues. According to a
readout posted on X by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning,
Xi told Trump that “the Taiwan question is the most important issue in
China-U.S. relations.”
"If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy
overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and
even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” she
wrote.
That came after a brief public exchange before the meeting began in
which Trump offered platitudes, telling Xi: “You’re a great leader.
Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because
it’s true.”
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump
said before promising that “the relationship between China and the USA
is going to be better than ever before.”
Xi was darker in his opening remarks, expressing hope that the U.S. and
China could avoid conflict and asking “whether the two countries can
transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and forge a new model for relations
between major powers.”
He used a term popular in foreign policy studies, referring to the idea
that when a rising power threatens to displace an established power, the
result is often war.
“Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both,” Xi
said. “The two countries should be partners rather than rivals.”
Xi has mentioned “Thucydides Trap” before with regards to U.S.-China
relations, dating back to as early as 2014.
Sharp comments follow elaborate welcome ceremony
Trump was welcomed before the meeting with an elaborate ceremony
featuring booming cannons and a band playing “The Star-Spangled Banner”
and China's national anthem.
Hundreds of school children performed a welcome routine, jumping as the
girls waved flowers and the boys hoisted American and Chinese flags
while Trump and Xi walked past them.
After the meeting, the leaders visited the Temple of Heaven, a religious
complex dating to the 15th century. Trump was later set to attend a
state banquet with Xi.
Taiwan issues remain contentious
Xi's warning about Taiwan reflects China's displeasure with a U.S. plan
to sell weapons to the island. The Trump administration has approved an
$11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, but has yet to begin fulfilling
it. Trump has also demonstrated greater ambivalence toward Taiwan, an
approach that’s raising questions about whether he might dial back
support for the island democracy.
Trump didn't immediately offer comments on what was said during the
closed portion of the meeting. But Xi said that, together with Trump,
the two agreed to establish a new orientation for U.S.-China relations,
one that is “constructive, strategic and stable” according to the
official Xinhua News Agency.
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President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping at
the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing.
(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Taiwan, meanwhile, said it was grateful for Washington's “long-term
support.”
“The government views all actions that contribute to regional
stability and the management of potential risks from authoritarian
expansion positively,” Michelle Lee, a spokesperson for Taiwan’s
premier, told reporters. She added that the U.S. “has also
repeatedly reiterated its firm and clear position of support for
Taiwan.”
US hopes to secure trade wins
The White House has insisted that Trump wouldn’t be making the trip
without an eye toward securing results before he leaves, suggesting
there could be announcements coming on trade. That could include a
Chinese commitment to buy U.S. soybeans, beef and aircraft. Trump
administration officials also want to work toward establishing a
Board of Trade with China to address commercial differences between
the countries.
But neither side has yet offered concrete details on what might come
out of Trump’s trip at a time when Beijing’s close economic ties to
Iran could complicate matters.
In the meeting, the leaders discussed trade, with Xi saying that
China’s door of opportunity will open wider and wider. Xi also met
with a collection of U.S. business leaders who accompanied Trump to
China.
The U.S. and China reached a trade truce last year that calmed each
side’s threats to impose steep tariffs on the other. The White House
says there have been ongoing discussions and mutual interest in
extending the agreement.
George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group consultancy, said Xi has
made his "‘red line’ crystal clear” on Taiwan. But Chen said Xi also
signaled a welcoming tone on the economic front and a desire to
ensure the U.S. business community that China is a place where
profits can flow.
Economic questions sparked by Iran war still loom
Trump's trip comes as Iran continues to dominate his domestic agenda
and stoke fears about the prospect of a weakening U.S. economy as
the election season ahead of November's midterms — when Republicans
will be looking to maintain control of Congress — begins heating up.
The U.S. and Israel's war in Iran has led to the effective closure
of the Strait of Hormuz, stranding oil and natural gas tankers and
causing energy prices to spike, threatening global economic growth.
China is the largest purchaser of Iranian oil, and Secretary of
State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity
that Trump will make the case for Beijing to exert its influence on
Iran, noting that administration officials would underscore that
“economies are melting down because of this crisis” which means
consumers are “buying less Chinese product.”
That contradicted Trump, who has downplayed suggestions that he
would ask Xi to pressure Iran to open the strait and even told
reporters that concerns about the U.S. economy wouldn't influence
his approach to Iran.
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Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Darlene Superville in
Washington, Simina Mistreanu in Bangkok and Kanis Leung in Hong Kong
contributed to this report.
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