Trump China visit set for May 13–15 as Xi Jinping plans talks on US-China relations

US President Donald Trump was set to travel to China from May 13 to 15, after an invitation from President Xi Jinping. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced the plan on Monday. The trip was described as the first China visit by a US president in almost nine years. Trump last went to China in 2017, during the first term.

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China said President Xi would hold detailed talks with Trump on relations and wider global issues. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a media briefing that state-level diplomacy offers key direction. Guo said China was ready to expand cooperation with the US. Guo also said both sides should manage differences through equality, respect and mutual benefit.

Trump China visit schedule and Xi Jinping meeting plan

On Sunday, US Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Trump would arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening. Anna Kelly called the trip symbolically significant. Kelly said Trump would attend a welcome ceremony and meet Xi on Thursday. The schedule also included the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet, the South China Morning Post reported.

Kelly said the leaders would meet again on Friday for a bilateral tea and working lunch. Kelly also said the US planned to host Xi for a reciprocal visit later in the year. The visit was set against global strain, including conflict in West Asia. The Strait of Hormuz blockade was also cited as adding to a global energy crisis.

Trade talks before Trump China visit and tariff deal signals

Trade discussions were also linked to the diplomatic push between the two countries. Both sides said Vice-Premier He Lifeng would travel to South Korea. He Lifeng was due to hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on May 12 and 13. The meetings were described as the final negotiation round before Trump’s China trip.

Expectations of a trade deal were building after steep US tariffs affected both economies. A Chinese commerce ministry statement said the talks would follow earlier leader-level consensus. It pointed to a meeting in South Korea’s Busan last year. It also mentioned previous phone calls on shared economic and trade concerns, including issues of mutual interest.

Taiwan issue during Trump China visit amid US China tensions

Before the visit, China highlighted Taiwan as a central issue in the relationship. Last week, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the call, Wang said the US should make the right choice about Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its own and has increased military pressure through periodic drills.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian spoke about Taiwan at a media briefing on Thursday. "The Taiwan question is at the core of Chinas core interests and the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations,\" Lin Jian said. The US recognises Beijing as China’s legal government. However, the US opposes unilateral status changes and keeps informal ties with Taiwan.

Iran war and energy crisis in Trump China visit discussions

The Iran war was expected to be a major issue during the Trump-Xi talks. The meeting was also likely to cover tariffs, AI chip regulation and critical minerals. China buys large volumes of Iranian oil and opposed US actions affecting Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz crisis added pressure on global supplies and raised broader energy security concerns.

Bert Hoffman, former World Bank country director for China, offered a view on motivations. \"It seems that Trump is much more keen to have this meeting rather than Xi,\" Hoffman said. \"And thats in part because he is uncomfortable in his position, not just because of the Iran war, but also because his tariff policies are basically being thrown out by the court,\" Hoffman said.

In February, the US Supreme Court struck down steep tariffs imposed by Trump. The ruling said the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not allow unilateral duties. Hoffman said Xi appeared steadier as exports stayed strong. \"Chinas exports are still doing very well. Imports and domestic demand are not doing so well, and that is of concern,\" Hoffman told the BBC.

Hoffman also said China wanted the Iran war to end due to regional links. China has partners across West Asia, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. \"So they dont like to see wars, they like to have stability,\" Hoffman said. Trump’s visit was set to bring these trade, security and political issues into direct talks between the leaders.

With inputs from PTI