President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a two-hour bilateral meeting on Thursday, the first of Trump’s China visit delayed by the U.S.-Iran conflict, according to BBC. The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the two leaders exchanged a warm welcome on a red carpet before entering the room for discussions.

Trade and Economic Concerns

According to BBC, the main focus of the talks was the tense trade relationship between the U.S. and China. Trump stated he would ask Xi to “open up” China’s economy to major U.S. tech companies. He also expected a “long talk” about Iran but insisted he did not need China’s help to resolve the conflict. Trump claimed Xi had been “relatively good” on Iran and said “a lot of good things are going to happen” during the trip.

Xi, on the other hand, was expected to press for an end to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and for an extension of the trade truce agreed in October that halted tariff escalation between the U.S. and China. Chinese media commentary suggested Beijing was looking for a “better future” with the U.S., aiming to add “more stability and certainty” to a turbulent world.

Taiwan Tensions and Regional Stability

According to BBC, during the bilateral meeting, Xi told Trump that Taiwan was the most important issue in their relationship and warned that if it was not handled properly, there would be “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.” Xi also raised the issue of “Taiwan independence,” warning that the U.S. must “exercise extra caution” when it comes to the self-governed island.

Trump’s trip to China was originally scheduled for March but was postponed after U.S. and Israeli forces launched attacks on Iran, according to BBC. The delay has cast a shadow over the visit, reducing expectations for major diplomatic breakthroughs. Instead, the meeting is seen as a step toward stabilizing a complex relationship rather than achieving sweeping agreements.

Broader Regional and Diplomatic Context

According to 38 North, North Korean state media has shown a strong interest in Kim Jong Un’s diplomatic activities, particularly his meetings with Xi Jinping. While U.S.-South Korean and U.S.-North Korean summits have dominated global headlines, North Korean media has given more coverage to Kim’s meetings with Xi. This suggests a strategic focus on China as a key diplomatic ally.

Meanwhile, according to Nate, the U.S.-Iran conflict has also affected the expectations for the Trump-Xi summit. The unresolved tensions in the Middle East have led to a “reduced ambitions” outlook for the meeting. Trump departed for China aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, arriving in Beijing late Wednesday ahead of a two-day official visit. The meeting is the first of several planned face-to-face encounters between the two leaders this year.

Trump said last week, “We’re doing a lot of business with China.” He also said the U.S. was “making a lot of money” from trade with China, according to Nate. However, the visit comes under the shadow of the unresolved Iran conflict, which delayed Trump’s Beijing trip and sharply reduced expectations for major diplomatic breakthroughs.