Trump heads to China today for high-stakes meeting with Xi
Trade, Taiwan and tensions with Iran are surefire topics for President Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Updated on: May 12, 2026 / 6:13 AM EDT / CBS News
Washington — President Trump heads to China Tuesday for a highly anticipated summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, following through with a meeting Mr. Trump delayed due to the war with Iran .
Trade will be a major topic for the two leaders, but the tenuous situation in Iran and supply chain bottleneck in the Persian Gulf will be inescapable topics. The president said Monday they'll also discuss energy and Taiwan. Xi is looking to bring Taiwan fully back under Beijing's control without intervention from the United States.
Mr. Trump spoke highly of Xi ahead of their meeting.
"He's a great gentleman. I find him to be an amazing, amazing man," the president told reporters Monday in the Oval Office.
"I have a very good relationship with President Xi," the president also told reporters in the Oval Office last week. "You know, I find him to be a tremendous guy. And we get along well, and you see how we do — we do a lot of business with China, making a lot of money. We're making a lot of money."