President Donald Trump described talks with Xi Jinping as “great”, after a nearly two-hour long high-stakes meeting in Beijing
But deep differences remain on tariffs and export controls, our business correspondent writes
Soon after talks began, Beijing released comments by Xi, repeating warnings of potential “conflict” with the US over Taiwan
The self-governed island claimed by Beijing is a major source of US-China tension, alongside tariffs, competition over tech and the Iran war
But Beijing also rolled out the red carpet for Trump: a gun salute, cheering children and a tour of the 15th Century Temple of Heaven with Xi
China has given Trump a grand welcome – in Chinese diplomacy, that is not mere flattery, but carries real weight, writes our China correspondent
The two leaders will meet again this evening at a state banquet
The visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Beijing last week seemed designed to show the kind of hold and influence China has in the Middle East.
The US was watching closely. “I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “And that is that what you are doing in the Strait is causing you to be globally isolated. You’re the bad guy in this.”
“I think if we’re going to bring Iran back to the negotiating table in an enduring way, I think that the United States recognises that China is going to play some role,” says Ali Wyne, Senior Research and Advocacy Advisor for US-China relations at International Crisis Group.
Trump, for his part, has appeared unbothered by China’s close relationship with Tehran. While the US recently sanctioned a China-based refinery for transporting Iranian oil, the president last week downplayed any Chinese support for Iran during the conflict.
BBC