Beijing, May 14, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a high-level meeting in Beijing on May 14, 2026, aimed at easing tensions between the two major global powers. The summit comes at a sensitive time marked by trade friction, geopolitical competition, and broader global instability.

At the start of the talks, Xi Jinping emphasised cooperation over confrontation, stating that China and the United States “should be partners, not rivals.” He also said the world is going through a major transformation and urged both nations to jointly address global challenges while maintaining stability. Xi further raised concerns about the “Thucydides trap,” questioning whether the two countries can avoid conflict and build a new model of major-power relations.

Xi added that both sides gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, highlighting that stable ties are important not only for the two countries but for global peace and development. He also welcomed Trump’s visit and expressed hope that the discussions would mark a “new chapter” in China–US relations.

The summit is being viewed as an attempt to rebuild dialogue and reduce long-standing tensions between Washington and Beijing. While key differences remain unresolved, both sides indicated a willingness to continue engagement and strengthen cooperation going forward.