Pomp, pageantry but precious little to show for Trump’s Beijing excursion
Donald Trump's visit to Beijing was marked by elaborate ceremonies and warm personal exchanges with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but yielded few concrete outcomes. The summit addressed major issues like Iran, Taiwan, and trade, but produced no definitive resolutions or substantial agreements. Observers noted the event emphasized symbolism over tangible progress in U.S.-China relations.
- ▪Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People, featuring unusual guests like Elon Musk and Pete Hegseth.
- ▪The summit did not result in a swift end to the war in Iran, clarity on Taiwan, or firm commercial deals.
- ▪Experts described the meeting as heavy on symbolism but light on substance, with no major breakthroughs in bilateral relations.
- ▪Xi Jinping emphasized avoiding the 'Thucydides Trap,' urging cooperation amid shifting global power dynamics.
- ▪Trump praised Xi as both businesslike and warm, claiming they resolved problems previous leaders could not.
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Xi Jinping, right, and Donald Trump meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Photograph: Kenny Holston/APView image in fullscreenXi Jinping, right, and Donald Trump meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. Photograph: Kenny Holston/APDonald TrumpPomp, pageantry but precious little to show for Trump’s Beijing excursionNo swift end to the Iran war, uncertainty over Taiwan and only vague outlines of commercial deals … but the US president did get to bask in the company of Xi JinpingDavid Smith in BeijingSat 16 May 2026 07.57 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleIt was historic, to be sure, but not as anyone had predicted.
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