What to Expect from Trump's Upcoming Visit to China: Key Issues on the Agenda

US President Donald Trump is preparing for a significant visit to China from May 13 to 15, marking the first presidential trip to the country in nearly a decade. This visit comes amid rising tensions over Taiwan and ongoing conflicts in West Asia. Key discussions are expected to revolve around trade agreements, tariffs, and the Iran situation. With both leaders set to meet for bilateral talks, the outcomes could have lasting implications for US-China relations. Read on to find out more about the agenda and what this visit means for the global landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 11, 2026, 13:43 IST

Trump's Historic Visit to China

US President Donald Trump is set to embark on an official trip to China from May 13 to 15, following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday.

This marks the first time in nearly nine years that a sitting US president will visit China, with Trump being the last to do so in 2017 during his initial term.

The timing of this visit coincides with ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving the US, Israel, and Iran, as well as a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz that is impacting global energy supplies. Additionally, tensions between the US and China are escalating over various issues, including Taiwan.

On Sunday, Anna Kelly, the principal deputy press secretary for the US, indicated that Trump would arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening for what she described as a visit of significant symbolic importance.

Kelly noted that the US president will participate in a welcome ceremony and a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping on Thursday, followed by a visit to the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

The two leaders are scheduled to reconvene on Friday for a bilateral tea and working lunch. Furthermore, the US is planning to host Xi for a reciprocal visit later this year.

In preparation for Trump's visit, both nations announced that Vice-Premier He Lifeng will head to South Korea for trade discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on May 12 and 13, marking the final round of negotiations before the presidential visit.

This trip is anticipated to pave the way for a potential trade agreement between the two largest economies in the world, especially following the significant tariffs imposed by Trump.

The discussions will be informed by the important consensus reached during the previous meeting between the two leaders in Busan, South Korea, last year, as well as earlier phone conversations addressing mutual economic and trade concerns, according to a statement from the Chinese commerce ministry.

Ahead of the visit, China has emphasized Taiwan as a critical issue. Last week, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi communicated with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the US to make the right decisions regarding Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.

China has been increasing military pressure on Taiwan, conducting periodic drills around the island. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, stated that the Taiwan issue is central to China's core interests and the foundation of China-US relations.

While the US officially recognizes Beijing as the legitimate government of China, it opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo and maintains informal relations and defense support for Taiwan.

The ongoing conflict in Iran, along with various economic matters such as tariffs, AI chip regulations, and critical minerals, is expected to be a focal point during the Trump-Xi discussions.

China plays a significant role as a buyer of Iranian oil and has opposed the US blockade of Iranian ports, which has impacted its energy supplies.

Bert Hoffman, a former World Bank country director for China, noted that Trump appears more eager for this meeting than Xi, partly due to his discomfort with his current position amid the Iran conflict and the recent court ruling that invalidated his tariff policies.

In February, the US Supreme Court ruled against the steep tariffs imposed by Trump, stating that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not grant the president the authority to impose such duties unilaterally.

Conversely, Hoffman remarked that Xi seems relatively at ease, as Chinese exports continue to perform well despite tariff challenges with the US. However, he pointed out that China's imports and domestic demand are lagging, which is a cause for concern.

Hoffman also mentioned that China is keen to see an end to the Iran conflict, as stability is preferred by its regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.