Trump Joins Xi for Lavish State Banquet in China

President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping have arrived at an opulent State Banquet in the heart of China, setting the stage for a unique form of food diplomacy.

The banquet, held at the Great Hall of the People, is adorned with a striking red, white, and green theme, complete with elegant white tablecloths.

Members of Trump’s cabinet, including Secretary Rubio, Hegseth, Steven Miller, Scott Bessent, and communications lead Steven Cheung, were spotted mingling at the dinner. High-profile CEOs from the tech industry, such as Apple’s Tim Cook, were also in attendance.

During their earlier two-hour summit, Xi cautioned Trump about the potential repercussions of mishandling Taiwan. According to state media channel CCTV, Xi warned that it could lead to clashes or conflicts, significantly endangering the US-China relationship.

Trump, undeterred by Xi’s cautionary remarks, was full of praise for the grand welcome he received, describing it as ‘an honor like few have ever seen.’ He specifically lauded the ‘happy and beautiful’ children who were part of the event.

Addressing Xi, Trump said, “It’s an honor to be with you, it’s an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”

On their meeting, a White House official told The Daily Mail: ‘President Trump had a good meeting with President Xi of China. The two sides discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between our two countries, including expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment into our industries.’

They continued: ‘Leaders from many of the United States’ largest companies joined a portion of the meeting. The Presidents also highlighted the need to build on progress in ending the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States, as well as increasing Chinese purchases of American agricultural products.’

Trump had been dazzled a day earlier by the full red-carpet treatment laid on by his Chinese host, lavished with imperial pomp rarely afforded a US leader as he was met by goose-stepping troops, thundering cannons and flag-waving children.

The White House further said that two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy. 

President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future. 

 Both countries also agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

It is Trump’s first face-to-face with Xi since the Iran war erupted on February 28. 

The mood appeared upbeat as American business leaders were met by reporters as they left the Great Hall after the initial talks.

Tesla boss Elon Musk, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Apple’s Tim Cook were spotted filing down the steps toward their bus.

‘Wonderful,’ Musk declared. Asked what had been achieved, the world’s richest man replied: ‘Many good things.’

Cook flashed a peace sign followed by a thumbs up, while Huang told the press gaggle: ‘Meetings went well. Mr Xi and President Trump were incredible.’

The President’s motorcade swept into Tiananmen Square at 10.01am Thursday almost exactly on schedule, with Trump emerging moments later in his signature dark suit and red tie to a blaring military fanfare. 

He walked over to Xi, who was waiting by the steps, and the pair shook hands, with Trump affectionately patting the Chinese leader’s hand as they exchanged a few words.

Xi, accompanied by Trump, then worked the front row of the heavyweight US delegation lined up on the steps, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The two leaders then mounted a red and gold dais as a military band struck up the Star Spangled Banner and troops in full ceremonial dress marched past. 

Thundering cannon salutes boomed across Tiananmen Square round after round as Trump stood beside Xi, before the President broke into a broad smile as he saluted the troops.

A crowd of brightly dressed Chinese schoolchildren waved flowers and US and Chinese flags while chanting ‘welcome, welcome, welcome to China’. 

The pair finally swept into the Great Hall after around 20 minutes of pageantry, US cabinet secretaries, officials and American business executives filing in behind them.

The two leaders buckled down for a roughly two-hour bilateral behind closed doors. 

Trump plans to press Xi to lean on Iran to accept a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Xi is widely expected to push for tariff relief and access to American-designed AI chips.

The summit was originally slated for March but was postponed when the war broke out.

Trump participates in an welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, May 14

Trump and Xi, leading the world’s two largest economies, have plenty to hammer out over their two days together. 

Trump called on Xi to ‘open up’ his economy further to US businesses on Wednesday, with a 17-strong cohort of American CEOs flown in to the White House to act as economic negotiators and iron out roadblocks to further investment. 

The President arrived late Wednesday evening local time in the Chinese capital before heading to his hotel for rest.

Trump was greeted on the tarmac by a military band, roughly 300 students waving US and Chinese flags and the nation’s Vice President Han Zheng.

Tomorrow, before the President heads back to the US, he will participate in a bilateral tea and working lunch.