US Officials Preview: Trump-Xi Meeting to Discuss Trade, Iran, AI, Taiwan and Other Issues
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14-15, to discuss trade, Iran, Taiwan, AI, and nuclear weapons. Arriving on May 13, this will be the first face-to-face summit between leaders of the world's two largest economies in over six months.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 23:17
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 23:31 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 00:28 (56 min after Collected)
Washington, May 11 (CNA) According to a preview given by US officials to media reporters, when US President Donald Trump visits Beijing this week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the scheduled discussion topics include Iran, Taiwan, artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear weapons, and whether to extend the rare earths agreement.
Reuters reported that Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on the 13th, marking his first visit to China since 2017. Bilateral talks are set to take place on the 14th and 15th.
This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies in over six months. Trump and Xi are seeking to stabilize relations amidst tensions over trade, the Iran war, and other points of disagreement between the US and China.
When the two sides met in South Korea last October, they agreed to a temporary halt in their fierce trade war. Washington had originally imposed triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods, while Beijing threatened to restrict global rare earth supplies.
● Trade
According to US officials, this week's Trump-Xi meeting is expected to agree on establishing various forums to promote bilateral trade and investment. China is expected to announce the purchase of aircraft from Boeing and US agricultural products and energy.
The Trump-Xi meeting may also formally announce that the US and China plan to establish a trade committee and an investment committee. However, one US official stated that these mechanisms may require further effort to be implemented.
This official also revealed that the Trump-Xi meeting will discuss whether to extend the agreement that allows Chinese rare earth minerals to be exported to the US. This agreement was reached last autumn, leading to a truce in the trade war between the two countries. The official said that although the agreement has not yet expired, he is confident it will eventually be extended.
● Iran, Russia
The Trump-Xi meeting is also expected to discuss several long-standing sources of tension between the US and China, including Iran, Taiwan, and nuclear weapons.
One US official stated that Trump has discussed Iran and Russia with Xi Jinping multiple times, including China providing income, dual-use goods, components, and even weapons to the two countries, and he expects these dialogues to continue at this week's Trump-Xi meeting.
China has maintained relations with Iran and remains a major buyer of Iranian oil. Trump continues to urge Beijing to use its influence to pressure Tehran to reach an agreement with Washington to end the war that began after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.
● Taiwan
On the other hand, Xi Jinping is dissatisfied with Washington over the Taiwan issue. The US has been Taiwan's most important international supporter and its most important arms supplier to date.
This US official stated that despite China's increased military activity near Taiwan in recent years, US policy will not change.
● AI
Trump's aides have also expressed growing concerns about advanced AI models being developed in China, believing that the two countries need to establish a "communication pipeline" to prevent conflicts arising from the application of such models.
One US official stated: "We hope to use this leader's meeting as an opportunity to initiate dialogue and discuss whether we should establish a communication pipeline on AI issues."
● Nuclear Weapons
In addition, the US has long hoped to initiate dialogue with China on nuclear weapons issues. However, Beijing still appears reluctant to discuss its arsenal.
The aforementioned US official revealed that the Chinese government had privately told the US that "they are not interested in sitting down to discuss any form of nuclear arms control or any related issues at this stage." (Translator: Chang Cheng-Chien) 1150511
Stand with facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Reproduction, public broadcasting, public transmission, or use of the text, images, and videos on this website without authorization is prohibited.
Reuters reported that Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on the 13th, marking his first visit to China since 2017. Bilateral talks are set to take place on the 14th and 15th.
This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies in over six months. Trump and Xi are seeking to stabilize relations amidst tensions over trade, the Iran war, and other points of disagreement between the US and China.
When the two sides met in South Korea last October, they agreed to a temporary halt in their fierce trade war. Washington had originally imposed triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods, while Beijing threatened to restrict global rare earth supplies.
● Trade
According to US officials, this week's Trump-Xi meeting is expected to agree on establishing various forums to promote bilateral trade and investment. China is expected to announce the purchase of aircraft from Boeing and US agricultural products and energy.
The Trump-Xi meeting may also formally announce that the US and China plan to establish a trade committee and an investment committee. However, one US official stated that these mechanisms may require further effort to be implemented.
This official also revealed that the Trump-Xi meeting will discuss whether to extend the agreement that allows Chinese rare earth minerals to be exported to the US. This agreement was reached last autumn, leading to a truce in the trade war between the two countries. The official said that although the agreement has not yet expired, he is confident it will eventually be extended.
● Iran, Russia
The Trump-Xi meeting is also expected to discuss several long-standing sources of tension between the US and China, including Iran, Taiwan, and nuclear weapons.
One US official stated that Trump has discussed Iran and Russia with Xi Jinping multiple times, including China providing income, dual-use goods, components, and even weapons to the two countries, and he expects these dialogues to continue at this week's Trump-Xi meeting.
China has maintained relations with Iran and remains a major buyer of Iranian oil. Trump continues to urge Beijing to use its influence to pressure Tehran to reach an agreement with Washington to end the war that began after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.
● Taiwan
On the other hand, Xi Jinping is dissatisfied with Washington over the Taiwan issue. The US has been Taiwan's most important international supporter and its most important arms supplier to date.
This US official stated that despite China's increased military activity near Taiwan in recent years, US policy will not change.
● AI
Trump's aides have also expressed growing concerns about advanced AI models being developed in China, believing that the two countries need to establish a "communication pipeline" to prevent conflicts arising from the application of such models.
One US official stated: "We hope to use this leader's meeting as an opportunity to initiate dialogue and discuss whether we should establish a communication pipeline on AI issues."
● Nuclear Weapons
In addition, the US has long hoped to initiate dialogue with China on nuclear weapons issues. However, Beijing still appears reluctant to discuss its arsenal.
The aforementioned US official revealed that the Chinese government had privately told the US that "they are not interested in sitting down to discuss any form of nuclear arms control or any related issues at this stage." (Translator: Chang Cheng-Chien) 1150511
Stand with facts, your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Reproduction, public broadcasting, public transmission, or use of the text, images, and videos on this website without authorization is prohibited.