Trump Brings Surprise Guests to China Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping told top American business leaders traveling with President Donald Trump that China intends to expand opportunities for U.S. companies and deepen economic cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
The comments came during President Trump’s high-stakes visit to Beijing, where trade, artificial intelligence, Iran, Taiwan, and global economic competition dominate discussions between the two superpowers.
According to China’s state-backed Xinhua News Agency, Xi emphasized that American businesses have played a major role in China’s economic growth and modernization efforts.
“Xi said that U.S. companies are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening up, and both sides have benefited from this,” the report stated.
“Noting that China’s door will only open wider, Xi said China welcomes the United States to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with China and expressed belief that U.S. companies will enjoy even broader prospects in China,” the report added.
Several of America’s most influential corporate leaders joined President Trump during the trip, signaling the enormous economic stakes surrounding the summit.
Among the executives accompanying the president were Elon Musk, Jensen Huang, and Tim Cook.
President Trump reportedly introduced each executive individually to Xi during the meetings.
“The U.S. entrepreneurs said that they attach great importance to the Chinese market, and hope to deepen their business operations in China and strengthen cooperation with China,” Xinhua stated.
The White House also highlighted efforts to expand economic cooperation and improve market access for American businesses operating in China.
In a statement posted on X, the White House said both governments discussed “ways to enhance economic cooperation between countries, including expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment.”
Analysts viewed Xi’s remarks as a significant signal aimed at calming international concerns about China’s economy and foreign investment climate.
George Chen described Xi’s comments as an important message to global corporations considering future investment in China.
“Xi’s comments are a strong statement to world companies to continue to invest in China,” Chen said.
“I think the statement Xi made about opening up is not just for propaganda. China does need to remain attractive for foreign investments,” he added.
During brief public remarks, President Trump directly addressed Xi and framed the summit as a rare gathering of the world’s most powerful political and business leaders.
“I brought the 30 most powerful business leaders on the planet to these talks… and they all said yes. I didn’t send the second-in-command or the vice president,” Trump said.
“I wanted the number one from each empire! Jensen Huang, Tim Cook, Elon Musk, and the other titans… the best in the world are here, right in front of you,” Trump continued.
“They’re here today to pay respect to you and to China. They come hungry to do business, invest, and create. From our side, it’ll be 100% reciprocal,” the president added.
The discussions also reportedly focused heavily on Iran and energy security in the Middle East.
According to reports, both leaders agreed that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to global shipping traffic.
The summit is already drawing intense geopolitical attention because of its potential impact on U.S.-China relations, Russia, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking Thursday on Fox & Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade argued that closer cooperation between Washington and Beijing could significantly weaken Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It looks like he’s [Trump] saying, ‘We’re the two leaders, let’s find a way to get along.’ You know who’s having a really bad day and week or two weeks? Vladimir Putin,” Kilmeade said.
“I mean, not only is he beginning to lose the war in Ukraine, he’s seeing that special relationship supposed to realign the world go up in flames,” he continued.
“Because at the very least, if we’re just to look at the words of the leaders, they’re looking to work together,” Kilmeade added.
“Vladimir Putin’s hope was to get China on their side and work together as a junior partner and isolate us,” he said. “And I think that President Xi is saying, ‘well, that’s not gonna happen.’”
President Trump’s current visit marks his first trip to China since 2017 and comes at a time of rising tensions involving trade competition, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and fallout from escalating conflict involving Iran.