Trump to Visit Beijing, Host Xi Jinping Amidst Ongoing Trade and Geopolitical Discussions

President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit Beijing in April and will subsequently host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit to the United States later in 2026. This reciprocal invitation follows a phone conversation between the two leaders and a prior in-person meeting in South Korea, signaling continued efforts to manage the complex relationship between the two superpowers.

Recent Developments and Discussions

The announcement came after a “long and thorough call” between Trump and Xi on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, covering a range of issues including trade, Ukraine, and the fentanyl crisis [Politico]. Trump described the relationship with China as “extremely strong!” in a post on Truth Social.

The two leaders previously met in Busan, South Korea, on October 30, 2025, for approximately 100 minutes, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting [Brookings].

Key Issues and Sticking Points

While both sides have expressed a desire to ease trade tensions, significant disagreements remain. China emphasized that Taiwan’s return to mainland China is “an integral part of the postwar international order,” a critical issue for Beijing [AP News]. Trump did not publicly address this point in his initial statement.

Discussions also included Ukraine and the ongoing concerns surrounding the fentanyl crisis. The leaders also discussed purchases of American soybeans.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming visits are expected to provide further opportunities for dialogue and potential progress on key issues. Still, the omissions from each side’s public statements suggest that significant challenges remain. The state visits will be closely watched for any indications of breakthroughs, particularly regarding Taiwan and trade [Financial Times].