US President Donald Trump has arrived in China for the first time in nearly a decade to participate in high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to reports, several prominent American business leaders are also part of the visit, including Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Boeing executive Kelly Ortberg.
Trade is expected to be one of the main topics of discussion between Washington and Beijing.
Trump said his “first request” to China would be for the country to “open its doors” further so American companies and investors can expand their presence in the Chinese market.
Relations between the United States and China have experienced significant tensions in recent years, particularly in trade and technology sectors.
At the beginning of his second presidential term, Trump intensified the trade conflict with China that had originally started during his first administration, although both countries agreed to a trade truce last October.
Alongside economic issues, the Iran crisis is also expected to feature prominently during the visit.
Analysts say China maintains considerable influence over Tehran because of its extensive economic ties and large-scale purchases of Iranian oil.
According to estimates, China currently buys around 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports.
Despite this, Trump has stated that he does not need China’s assistance to reach an agreement with Iran.
Experts say the visit demonstrates that despite intense geopolitical rivalry, the relationship between the United States and China remains essential for managing global crises and protecting the economic interests of both powers.
The presence of leading technology and industrial executives also highlights the growing overlap between geopolitics, advanced technology competition, global supply chains, and strategic economic influence.
Official ceremonies and major diplomatic meetings between the two leaders are expected to take place on Thursday and Friday.
