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Trump Participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of China, May 14, 2026

May 14, 2026 · The White House · 0:05:32

Embedded from the source channel — never re-uploaded. Watch on YouTube

What happened

President Donald Trump participated in the opening of a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14, 2026, at the start of his state visit to China. Xi welcomed him — “Welcome back to China after nine years. The whole world is watching our meeting” — and framed the questions before the two leaders: whether China and the United States can overcome the Thucydides trap and build a new paradigm of major-country relations, meet global challenges together, and “build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations.” “These are the questions of our times that you and I need to answer as leaders of major countries,” he said.

Xi noted the year marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and stated China’s position: “Our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals.” He said he looked forward to working with the President “to set the course for and steer the giant ship of China-US relations, so as to make 2026 a historic landmark year.” President Trump thanked him and praised the welcome ceremony that preceded the meeting — “that was an honor like few have ever seen before” — singling out the children who took part.

Why it matters

The opening exchange is the summit’s stated frame in the host’s words — partnership over rivalry, with 2026 named a landmark year — against which the visit’s trade deals, the state banquet toast, and the President’s Air Force One readout are recorded on the Foreign Policy & Defense hub.

Sources: The White House, “President Trump Participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of China,” Beijing, China, May 14, 2026 (official upload, embedded above). All characterizations as stated by President Xi Jinping and President Trump at the meeting, in the broadcast’s English interpretation.