WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump departed the White House on Tuesday for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid ongoing tensions over trade, technology and regional security issues.
Trump left Andrews Air Force Base aboard Air Force One shortly after midday for the meeting, expected to take place in a third country, according to White House officials. The summit marks the first in-person encounter between the two leaders since Trump returned to office earlier this year.
White House officials described the discussions as critical for addressing economic imbalances and stabilizing bilateral relations. Trade tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term and subsequent adjustments remain points of contention. Details of the agenda were not fully disclosed ahead of the departure.
“The meeting with President Xi is very important for the United States and for China,” Trump told reporters before boarding the aircraft. “We’re going to talk about a lot of things, including fair trade and other issues that have been going on for a long time.”
Chinese state media reported that Xi would emphasize mutual respect and win-win cooperation. Beijing has previously called for the removal of certain U.S. export controls on advanced technologies and a reduction in tariffs affecting Chinese goods. U.S. officials have stressed the need for greater market access in China and stronger protections for intellectual property.
The summit occurs against a backdrop of heightened global economic uncertainty, including recent spikes in U.S. inflation linked partly to energy prices. Trade between the world’s two largest economies exceeded $500 billion annually in recent years, though exact current figures were not immediately updated by commerce departments on both sides.
Senior U.S. officials traveling with Trump include Secretary of State and Treasury representatives. The delegation is expected to hold preliminary talks with Chinese counterparts before the leaders’ main session.
Both sides have signaled willingness to negotiate but maintained firm positions on core interests. The Trump administration has highlighted concerns over China’s industrial policies and support for certain sectors, while Beijing has pushed back against what it calls protectionist measures.
No immediate breakthroughs were anticipated in the opening phase of the summit, officials said. Progress on issues such as supply chain resilience and technology standards remains uncertain.
Trump is scheduled to return to Washington later this week, depending on the length of discussions. The White House said it would provide updates as the meetings progress.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the president was en route, with further developments expected upon his arrival at the summit venue.
