US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to improve relations between the world’s two largest economies, the United States and China. Trump and several top businessmen are attending an important meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the ongoing war with Iran. Elon Musk and Nvidia chief Jensen Huang are on the trip with Trump to address trade, technology and global supply chain issues.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, US Ambassador to China David Perdue and other top officials were present at the airport to welcome the US President. About 300 Chinese youths dressed in blue and white wearing military bands and carrying Chinese flags waited to welcome Trump. Chinese President Xi Jinping will officially welcome Trump on Thursday morning. It is the first time a sitting US president has visited China in nearly 10 years.
Trump’s visit is seen as crucial ahead of the November election. Trump told reporters before leaving Washington that he did not need Chinese help to end the conflict with Iran and could handle it on his own. Still, the Iran issue, as well as trade, artificial intelligence or AI and Taiwan, will be at the center of discussion at the meeting. Trump said he would ask Xi Jinping to open the Chinese market to US tech companies.
Jensen Huang’s appearance on the tour drew attention. Nvidia is trying to sell its cutting-edge artificial intelligence chips in China. According to reports, Trump asked Huang at the last minute to accompany him on the trip. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng also held an important initial discussion in South Korea to improve trade relations between the two countries. The talks mainly focused on maintaining the trade agreement signed between the two countries last October.
Meanwhile, China has opposed US arms sales to Taiwan, a longstanding dispute between the two countries. Currently, China’s economy is somewhat sluggish, but the political pressure on President Xi Jinping is much less. Analysts say the meeting is more important for the US than for China, as Trump needs to show the success of the tour to US voters to win the next election.
