Trump and Xi: The history of encounters between two superpower leaders | Donald Trump News
Trump to Meet Xi in China Amid Ongoing Tensions
United States President Donald Trump will arrive in China this week for his seventh face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit marks the first trip by a sitting U.S. president to China since 2017.
The three-day summit, which begins Wednesday, is expected to address a range of critical issues, including the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict over Iran, trade relations, and the status of Taiwan.
Previous Meetings Between Trump and Xi
Trump and Xi’s history of meetings has often reflected significant geopolitical tensions and economic discussions.
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April 2017, Palm Beach, Florida: The leaders’ first encounter took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort shortly after he assumed office. The meeting was notable for strained U.S.-China relations due to Trump’s previous criticisms of China and a diplomatic breach involving Taiwan. Although the two men reportedly established a personal rapport, the summit was overshadowed by Trump’s missile strikes on Syria during Xi’s visit.
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July 2017, Hamburg, Germany: They met again on the sidelines of the G20 summit, focusing on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and bilateral economic ties. Shortly after this meeting, the Trump administration launched an investigation into China’s alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property, marking the beginning of escalating trade tensions.
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November 2017, Beijing, China: Trump visited China, accompanied by American business leaders. His itinerary included cultural events and a formal banquet with Xi. He left China claiming $250 million in agreements, although many deals lacked urgency. Despite the positive atmosphere, tensions resurfaced when tariffs were later imposed.
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December 2018, Buenos Aires, Argentina: On the margins of the G20 summit, Trump and Xi dined together amid a backdrop of escalating trade friction. Following months of tariff impositions from both sides, they agreed to initiate negotiations addressing issues like intellectual property and cyber theft.
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June 2019, Osaka, Japan: At another G20 summit, Trump and Xi discussed ways to de-escalate their trade dispute, agreeing to halt new tariffs and engage in more flexible trade negotiations. This meeting eventually led to the signing of a “phase one” trade deal, though China’s commitment to purchase U.S. goods was ultimately unfulfilled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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October 2025, Busan, South Korea: In a meeting occurring six years later, Trump and Xi discussed a temporary pause in their ongoing tariff war. Despite previous escalations, both sides agreed to take measures to ease tensions and foster trade relations.
As Trump prepares for his upcoming meetings with Xi, the stakes remain high as both nations navigate a complex web of economic and geopolitical challenges.
