US President Donald Trump left China on Friday, highlighting a series of commercial agreements that failed to impress financial markets.
China also cautioned the US against mishandling Taiwan and insisted the conflict involving Iran should never have erupted.
Trump’s trip to the biggest strategic and economic competitor of the US — the first by an American president since his 2017 visit — was aimed at securing concrete achievements that could strengthen his weakened approval ratings ahead of key midterm elections.
The visit featured elaborate ceremonies, including military welcomes, state banquets, and private tours, while Trump repeatedly praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for his hospitality and leadership.
Calling the tour “incredible,” Trump said productive discussions had taken place during his final meeting with Xi, where the two leaders later attended a dinner featuring seafood and traditional Chinese cuisine.
However, shortly before Friday’s talks, China’s foreign ministry released a sharply worded statement expressing dissatisfaction over the US and Israeli role in the Iran conflict.
Beijing said the war should never have begun and stressed there was no justification for it to continue, adding that China supported diplomatic efforts to restore peace amid disruptions to global energy supplies and economic stability.
During the meeting, Trump said both leaders shared similar views regarding Iran, although Xi made no public remarks on the matter. Trump had reportedly hoped China would use its influence to push Iran toward an agreement, but Beijing is unlikely to pressure Iran aggressively because of its strategic importance in countering US influence.
Meanwhile, Xi warned Trump that mishandling Taiwan could trigger conflict, underscoring one of the most sensitive issues in US-China relations.
Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by Beijing, remains a longstanding flashpoint. China has not ruled out using force to take control of the island, while US law requires Washington to support Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Washington’s policy on Taiwan had not changed, saying the issue is consistently raised during discussions with Chinese officials.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanked the United States for repeatedly reaffirming its support.
Despite the limited number of agreements reached, both governments portrayed the summit as an effort to stabilise ties between the two powers. Speaking at Thursday’s state banquet, Xi described the US-China relationship as the world’s most important and said both sides must ensure it remains on track.
