Beijing highlights the need for stable ties and peace, while Washington focuses on fentanyl and agricultural products
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenFan ChenPublished: 9:10pm, 14 May 2026Updated: 9:11pm, 14 May 2026Statements issued by China and the United States after their summit on Thursday revealed stark contrasts in each side’s priorities.Washington focused on trade, fentanyl and Iran, while Beijing emphasised Taiwan, stabilising bilateral ties and Trump’s compliments about President Xi Jinping.Trump’s state visit to China marks the first trip to the country by a US president in nine years and it began in the morning with more than two hours of talks between Xi and his US counterpart Donald Trump in the Chinese capital.
The Chinese statement about the meeting highlighted an agreement between the leaders that the two countries should have a “constructive strategic stable relationship”, a framing that should guide relations for the “next three years and beyond”.
Trump’s term in office runs for a further three years.
