During his state visit to Beijing, President Trump emphasized to businesses his desire for “only the top” executives to accompany him, marking his initial comments to President Xi Jinping.
Addressing the Chinese leader at the Great Hall of the People, Trump disclosed that he reached out to the world’s leading 30 companies, insisting they send their foremost representatives.
“We have the greatest businessmen, the biggest, and, I believe, the best globally. We have incredible individuals, and they are all with me,” Trump stated.
“Each and every one of them. We contacted the top 30 worldwide, and all of them agreed to join us,” he continued.
“I wasn’t interested in the second or third tier from any company. I wanted only the very top. They are here today to show respect to you and to China,” he added.
Trump concluded by expressing, “They are eager for trade and business opportunities, and our approach will be entirely reciprocal.”
Trump was flanked by Apple CEO Tim Cook, X and SpaceX boss Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who all made the journey to China. Musk and Huang both traveled aboard Air Force One.
The three were joined by Qualcomm boss Cristiano Amon, Kelly Ortberg of Boeing, Jane Fraser from Citi, and David Solomon from Goldman Sachs, amongst others.
The two world leaders are seen here shaking hands inside the Great Hall of the People
1. Stephen Miller, 2.Jamieson Greer, 3.Tim Cook, 4.Pete Hegseth, 5.Scott Bessent, 6.Marco Rubio, 7.Jensen Huang, 8.Elon Musk, 9.Natalie Harp, 10.Cristiano Amon, 11. Brett Ratner, 12.Margo Martin and 13.Monica Crowley are all seen here
Trump announced the business delegation would be coming with him in a post to his Truth Social.
In it, he said that he would be asking President Xi to ‘open up China so that these brilliant people can work their magic’.
He added: ‘I promise, that when we are together, which will be in a matter of hours, I will make that my very first request.
‘I have never seen or heard of any idea that would be more beneficial to our incredible Countries!’
The two nations reached a trade truce last year that calmed each side’s threats to impose steep tariffs on the other.
The White House said there have been ongoing discussions and mutual interest in extending it, it is unclear whether any announcement could come during the visit.
Leaving the meeting inside the Great Hall of the People, Musk told reporters that what happened inside was ‘wonderful’ and featured ‘many good things’.
In a similar fashion, Huang said that: ‘Mr. Xi and President Trump were incredible’, as Tim Cook flashed the peace sign.
Xi Jinping is seen here meeting with the group of American representatives alongside President Trump
Leaving the meeting inside the Great Hall of the People, Musk told reporters that what happened inside was ‘wonderful’
As the two leaders took their seats opposite each other in the Great Hall of the People, Xi opened with a loaded reference to the so-called ‘Thucydides Trap.’
The phrase refers to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides’ account of Athens and Sparta, and describes the danger of conflict when an established power feels threatened by a rising civilization.
‘The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the US overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm?’ Xi asked Trump across the table.
Trump, seemingly unfazed by the portentous framing, was effusive in return and praised the pageantry of his welcome.
He described it as ‘an honor like few have ever seen before’, and singling out the ‘happy and beautiful’ children for special praise.
He told Xi: ‘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.’
It is Trump’s first face-to-face with Xi since the Iran war erupted on February 28.
