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Trump visits China May 13-15 for Xi meeting on trade and Iran

2 sources · 11 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in China on Wednesday (May 13) for a three-day visit to Beijing, confirmed the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday. The meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled for Friday (May 15), concluding a trip that was postponed in March due to the war with Iran that began in late February.

Press quotes (2)
Poder360

"O Ministério das Relações Exteriores da China confirmou nesta 2ª feira (11.mai.2026) a visita do presidente dos Estados Unidos, Donald Trump (Partido Republicano), a Pequim. O chefe da Casa Branca vai desembarcar na capital chinesa na 4ª feira (13.mai) e retornará aos EUA na 6ª feira (15.mai)."

Poder360

"Inicialmente, a viagem de Trump a Pequim estava marcada para 31 de março, mas a guerra com o Irã, iniciada no final de fevereiro adiou os planos."

The visit occurs in a more tense context than Trump's first trip to China in November 2017, when companies from both countries signed trade deals worth more than $250 billion. This time, according to Valor Econômico, "Beijing's deep economic ties with Tehran, as well as trade tensions related to tariff threats dating back to Trump's first term, could cool the climate."

Press quotes (2)
Trump White House Archives

"During the visit, companies of the two nations signed trade and investment deals worth more than $250 billion."

Valor Econômico

"Mas os profundos laços econômicos de Pequim com o Teerã, assim como as tensões comerciais relacionadas às ameaças de tarifas que remontam ao primeiro mandato de Trump, podem esfriar o clima quando Trump desembarcar em Pequim esta semana"

China is Iran's largest trading partner and primary buyer of Iranian oil, with Chinese purchases accounting for roughly 90% of Iran's exported oil, according to a March report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The expectation is that Trump and Xi will renew the truce in the tariff war and close new trade deals in sectors like aviation and agriculture, reported Poder360.

Press quotes (2)
Uscc China Iran Fact Sheet

"China is Iran's largest trading partner and the primary buyer of Iranian oil. Chinese purchases account for roughly 90 percent of Iran's exported oil, providing tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue that supports Iran's government budget and military activities."

Poder360

"A expectativa é que Trump e Xi renovem a trégua na guerra tarifária e fechem novos acordos comerciais em setores como de aviação e agricultura."

Trade representatives from both countries will meet in South Korea from Tuesday to Wednesday to prepare agreements that should be signed by the leaders. The visit marks the second time Trump goes to China as president — the first was in 2017, when the environment was "very different" and friendlier, according to Poder360.

Press quotes (2)
Poder360

"Antes de Trump desembarcar em Pequim, representantes comerciais dos 2 países vão se reunir na Coreia do Sul de 3ª feira (12.mai) a 4ª feira (13.mai) para revisar o que deve ser acordado entre os líderes posteriormente."

Poder360

"Essa será a 2ª visita de Trump como presidente dos EUA à China. A 1ª vez foi em novembro de 2017, durante seu 1º mandato na Casa Branca. Na época, o ambiente era bem diferente."

1. What we know (2)

The visit was postponed from March 31 to May 13-15 due to the war with Iran

1 source Poder360

This will be Trump's second visit as president to China, the first being in November 2017

1 source Poder360
2. Where coverage thins out (3)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (2)

The trade war remains in truce for more than a year

Reported by: Poder360
Did not cover: Valor Econômico

Taiwan will be a topic of discussion between the leaders

Reported by: Poder360
Did not cover: Valor Econômico

Conflicting versions (1)

Exact dates of Trump's first visit to China

1 source — "The first visit was in November 2017": Poder360
2 sources — "The official visit occurred specifically from November 8-10, 2017": State Department Office Of The Historian Trump White House Archives
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • How will China respond to American pressure about economic support for Iran during the war?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources indicate the White House expects Trump to pressure Beijing about Tehran, but don't detail China's position or possible concessions.

    Did not cover: Poder360
  • What would be the strongest version of the Chinese counter-argument to the American framing of the China-Iran relationship?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources present mainly the American perspective on the Iranian issue, without detailing Chinese arguments about the legitimacy of their commercial ties with Iran.

    Did not cover: Valor Econômico Poder360
  • What specific trade deals are being negotiated in the aviation and agriculture sectors?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources mention general sectors but don't specify products, values, or companies involved in possible agreements.

    Did not cover: Valor Econômico

All sources

2