U.S. President Donald Trump departed Beijing on Friday without major trade breakthroughs or tangible Chinese help on Iran, despite two days of lavish praise for his host, Xi Jinping. The visit, Trump’s first to China since 2017, aimed to boost his approval ratings ahead of pivotal midterm elections but yielded limited results.
The summit featured grand pageantry, including goose-stepping soldiers and a tour of a secret garden. Behind closed doors, Xi issued a stark warning about Taiwan, urging Trump not to mishandle the issue or risk conflict. Trump stayed unusually restrained, focusing his remarks on Xi’s warmth and stature. “It’s been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it,” Trump told Xi at their final meeting at Zhongnanhai, after a lunch of lobster balls and Kung Pao scallops.
Trump sought immediate wins, such as a Boeing jet deal, but investors remained unimpressed as Boeing shares fell over 4% after learning China ordered only 200 jets, far below the expected 500. Xi, in contrast, emphasized long-term stability in trade ties, highlighting their differing priorities.
On Iran, China bluntly expressed frustration with the U.S.-Israel war, stating the conflict “should never have happened” and calling for peace. Trump said the leaders “felt very similar” on Iran, but Xi offered no commitments. Analysts doubt Beijing will pressure Tehran, given Iran’s value as a strategic counterweight to Washington.
U.S. officials announced deals on farm goods and mechanisms to manage trade, aiming for $30 billion in non-sensitive goods, but details were scant. There was no progress on Nvidia’s H200 AI chips sales, despite CEO Jensen Huang’s last-minute addition to the trip. Rare earths remained unresolved, as China maintained export controls imposed in April 2025, causing shortages. Chinese state media omitted the issue entirely.
Chinese stocks fell as investors realized the summit produced little. Trump’s visit, heavy on symbolism but light on substance, left both sides with modest expectations for future ties. Al Jazeera noted the summit highlighted stark differences in approach.
In a brief conclusion, analysts suggest the warm rhetoric masked unresolved tensions, from trade deficits to geopolitical rivalry. The true impact awaits the midterms and China’s next moves.
Source: ARY News