Trump-Xi meeting reception likely less enthusiastic than 9 years ago, experts expect limited results
Former US President Trump's upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing is anticipated to receive a less enthusiastic reception than nine years ago. Analysts predict that numerous thorny issues such as Taiwan, tariffs, rare earths, and the Iran war will limit the meeting's outcomes.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 19:55
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Beijing, May 12, Comprehensive Foreign Report) US President Trump once said that he expected a warm welcome when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. However, analysts estimate that Trump's reception during this visit to China will be less enthusiastic than last time. Numerous thorny issues between the two countries may also affect the warmth of the meeting.
Agence France-Presse reported that Trump (Donald Trump) is scheduled to arrive in China tomorrow for a visit, which will be the first time a US president visits China since his 2017 visit during his previous presidential term. This Trump-Xi meeting is expected to discuss issues including Taiwan, tariffs, rare earths, and the Iran war.
Trump said in mid-April that he expected Xi Jinping to give him a "warm big hug" when they met in Beijing this time, and that the two were "cooperating very well in smart ways." In contrast, Beijing continued its conservative approach to such matters, only confirming yesterday that Trump's state visit would proceed.
When Trump visited China nine years ago, he received what China called "upgraded state visit" treatment, including a private tea with Xi Jinping at the Forbidden City. This time, Beijing is expected to arrange a visit to the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet for him, but analysts say the reception will be less grand than last time.
Wu Xin-bo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in China, told Agence France-Presse that based on past experience since Trump's last visit, Beijing has learned that while grand gestures can satisfy the American leader's ego, "they cannot stop him from quickly changing his attitude towards China."
Bert Hofman, a professor at the National University of Singapore, also wrote in an e-newsletter yesterday that when Trump visited China in 2017, Chinese official media described "personal diplomacy opening a new stage of pragmatic cooperation and great power diplomacy"; however, Trump subsequently adopted an anti-China policy stance during his first presidential term, and quickly launched a fierce trade war against China after returning to the White House, changing Beijing's view.
He pointed out that although Trump continues to mention his friendship with Xi Jinping, since he returned to power last year, Beijing's rhetoric about him has reduced romantic projections regarding the "chemistry" between the two leaders.
However, Hofman also said that although external expectations for significant changes from the personal relationship between Trump and Xi are dim, it is still believed that it can "prevent (US-China) relations from derailing, restart communication channels, and facilitate skillful negotiations."
Wendy Cutler, Deputy Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, predicted last week on the podcast "Geoeconomic Competition" that the results of this Trump-Xi meeting should be "limited."
She said: "We may see several Trump-Xi meetings this year, so there is no need to announce all feasible items at the first meeting... For both sides, stabilizing the relationship also has its meaning." (Compiled by: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150512
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(Central News Agency, Beijing, May 12, Comprehensive Foreign Report) US President Trump once said that he expected a warm welcome when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. However, analysts estimate that Trump's reception during this visit to China will be less enthusiastic than last time. Numerous thorny issues between the two countries may also affect the warmth of the meeting.
Agence France-Presse reported that Trump (Donald Trump) is scheduled to arrive in China tomorrow for a visit, which will be the first time a US president visits China since his 2017 visit during his previous presidential term. This Trump-Xi meeting is expected to discuss issues including Taiwan, tariffs, rare earths, and the Iran war.
Trump said in mid-April that he expected Xi Jinping to give him a "warm big hug" when they met in Beijing this time, and that the two were "cooperating very well in smart ways." In contrast, Beijing continued its conservative approach to such matters, only confirming yesterday that Trump's state visit would proceed.
When Trump visited China nine years ago, he received what China called "upgraded state visit" treatment, including a private tea with Xi Jinping at the Forbidden City. This time, Beijing is expected to arrange a visit to the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet for him, but analysts say the reception will be less grand than last time.
Wu Xin-bo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in China, told Agence France-Presse that based on past experience since Trump's last visit, Beijing has learned that while grand gestures can satisfy the American leader's ego, "they cannot stop him from quickly changing his attitude towards China."
Bert Hofman, a professor at the National University of Singapore, also wrote in an e-newsletter yesterday that when Trump visited China in 2017, Chinese official media described "personal diplomacy opening a new stage of pragmatic cooperation and great power diplomacy"; however, Trump subsequently adopted an anti-China policy stance during his first presidential term, and quickly launched a fierce trade war against China after returning to the White House, changing Beijing's view.
He pointed out that although Trump continues to mention his friendship with Xi Jinping, since he returned to power last year, Beijing's rhetoric about him has reduced romantic projections regarding the "chemistry" between the two leaders.
However, Hofman also said that although external expectations for significant changes from the personal relationship between Trump and Xi are dim, it is still believed that it can "prevent (US-China) relations from derailing, restart communication channels, and facilitate skillful negotiations."
Wendy Cutler, Deputy Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, predicted last week on the podcast "Geoeconomic Competition" that the results of this Trump-Xi meeting should be "limited."
She said: "We may see several Trump-Xi meetings this year, so there is no need to announce all feasible items at the first meeting... For both sides, stabilizing the relationship also has its meaning." (Compiled by: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship of yours is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.