Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a meeting on the sidelines of their visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15. [AP/YONHAP]
BEIJING — U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to expand trade cooperation and deepen bilateral ties during a high-profile summit inside Beijing’s Zhongnanhai leadership compound on Friday, though the two sides showed subtle differences over Iran and Taiwan.
The two leaders held talks at Chunyizhai, a building next to Xi’s office inside Zhongnanhai, the center of political power in China. Former U.S. President Richard Nixon met Mao Zedong at the same site during his historic 1972 visit to China, which Nixon later described as “the week that changed the world.”
“This is where leaders of the Communist Party and the State Council work and live, and it is also where I work and live,” Xi said on Friday.
Trump later described the trip as “an incredible visit” and praised the outcome of the summit.
“I think a lot of good has come from [this visit],” he said. “We've made some fantastic trade deals, good for both countries.”
Trump also said the two leaders shared similar views on Iran.
“We feel very similar about [how] we want it to end,” he said. “We don't want them to have a nuclear weapon. We want the straits open.”
Xi called the visit “historic and symbolic.”
“We confirmed a new status of constructive strategic stability between China and the United States,” Xi said. “We agreed to maintain stable economic and trade relations, expand practical cooperation in various fields and properly resolve issues of mutual concern.”
Xi also compared Trump’s “Make America Great Again,” or MAGA, agenda with China’s national rejuvenation campaign.
“President Trump hopes to make the United States great again, and I strive to lead the Chinese people toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” Xi said. “The two countries can promote their respective development and prosperity by strengthening cooperation.”
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, poses for a picture with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15. [AP/YONHAP]
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi later described the summit as “a historic meeting held during an important stage of development for both countries.”
Xi also accepted Trump’s invitation to visit the United States.
“Both sides agreed that President Xi will make a state visit to the United States this fall,” Wang said.
Xi also promised to send Trump rose seeds for the White House Rose Garden, which is currently undergoing renovation.
The summit lasted about nine hours over the course of two days and maintained a friendly atmosphere throughout much of the visit. But the two sides showed subtle differences over several issues, including Iran.
Trump told Fox News that Xi supported reopening the Strait of Hormuz and pledged not to provide military equipment to Iran during their talks.
China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency did not mention either issue in its summary of the meeting. Instead, it said only that the two sides exchanged views on a series of regional issues.
Chinese officials nevertheless highlighted the summit’s economic outcomes.
“We agreed to expand bilateral trade under a framework of reciprocal tariff reductions,” Wang said during a briefing on Friday. “The two countries achieved positive results in trade negotiations, including plans to establish a trade and investment committee.”
The two sides, however, appeared to make little progress on Taiwan.
Wang did not say Trump explicitly reaffirmed the “One China” principle during the summit. The One China principle is the diplomatic position that recognizes Beijing as the sole legitimate government of China and regards Taiwan as part of China.
A Taiwan flag flutters in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 12. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
“Through the talks, we felt that the United States understands China’s position and takes China’s concerns seriously,” Wang said. “Like the international community, the United States does not recognize or accept Taiwan independence.”
Wang also urged Washington to show concrete support for the “One China” principle.
“If the Taiwan issue is handled incorrectly, it could lead to conflict between China and the United States,” Wang said.
Trump also avoided making clear commitments on Taiwan after concluding his two-night, three-day trip to China, according to Reuters.
“There's only one person that knows that, and it is me. I'm the only person,” Trump said about whether the United States would protect Taiwan from China's attack. “That question was asked to me today by President Xi. I said, I don't talk about that.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
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