11 May,2026 10:04 AM IST | Beijing | mid-day online correspondent
Donald Trump. Pic/AFP
US President Donald Trump will undertake a state visit to China from May 13 to 15 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to an announcement made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The upcoming visit will mark the first trip to China by a sitting US president in nearly nine years and comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and ongoing negotiations between the world's two largest economies.
A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the visit in a post on X, stating that Trump would visit China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping from May 13 to 15.
Trump's visit is taking place against the backdrop of the prolonged US-Israel-Iran conflict, disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz blockade and rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over several strategic issues, including Taiwan.
According to reports, the visit is expected to focus heavily on trade negotiations, regional security concerns and bilateral cooperation on key international issues.
Senior US officials said discussions between Trump and Xi are also expected to include Iran, Russia and broader geopolitical developments.
Officials stated that Trump and Xi have held multiple conversations regarding Iran and Russia, including concerns related to Chinese economic support, industrial components and potential weapons-related exports linked to those countries.
Ahead of Trump's arrival in Beijing, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is scheduled to travel to South Korea for trade discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on May 12 and 13. The talks are being viewed as the final round of negotiations before the Trump-Xi summit.
The discussions are expected to address tariff-related issues and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement from China's Commerce Ministry, the talks will be guided by the consensus reached by Trump and Xi during earlier meetings and phone conversations, including their recent interaction in Busan, South Korea.
Senior US officials also indicated that both sides would explore expanding cooperation through a proposed US-China Board of Trade and Board of Investment framework.
US principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening for what she described as a visit of "tremendous symbolic significance."
According to the tentative itinerary, Trump will attend an official welcome ceremony and hold bilateral talks with Xi Jinping on Thursday. The US President is also expected to visit the Temple of Heaven and participate in a state banquet hosted by the Chinese leadership.
The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on Friday for a bilateral tea session and working lunch before Trump concludes his visit.
US officials further said that Washington plans to host Xi Jinping and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan for a reciprocal visit to Washington DC later this year.
Senior US officials stated that Taiwan is expected to remain an important topic during discussions between the two leaders. However, officials clarified that there has been no change in US policy towards Taiwan ahead of the meeting.
The visit also comes shortly after the United States announced a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iran's financial and energy sectors, including networks linked to oil trade and commercial activity involving China.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently stated that the US administration would continue aggressive economic measures aimed at restricting Iran's financial capabilities and sanctions evasion efforts.
(With inputs from Agencies)
