Trump arrives in Beijing to meet with Xi Jinping
Politics – CBSNews.com — 2026-05-13 07:22:00 — www.cbsnews.com
President Trump landed in Beijing on Wednesday evening local time to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a crucial moment in his presidency amid the ongoing war with Iran and uncertainty about the economy. “We’re the two superpowers,” Mr. Trump told reporters as he departed the White House on Tuesday. “We’re the strongest nation on Earth in terms of military. China’s considered second.” Upon arrival, Mr. Trump stated, “We have a lot of things to discuss,” but added, “I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control.”
Mr. Trump has made it clear that he intends to push Xi to open up China to more American business, bringing a delegation of business leaders with him, including Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang. Before leaving, Mr. Trump spoke to New York City radio host Sid Rosenberg, emphasizing the “good relationship” the U.S. has with China and noting, “there are a lot of advantages to us getting along.” He even mentioned on social media that he would give Xi a “big, fat hug” when they meet.
Despite the complexities of the geopolitical landscape, Mr. Trump asserted that he did not need China’s help with the war or the economy, stating, “Not even a little bit,” when asked how much Americans’ finances were motivating him to make a deal. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” he said. “I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
### How this sits against verifiable accuracy
Mr. Trump’s statements imply a strong confidence in U.S. military superiority and a belief that the relationship with China is beneficial. However, his assertion that Iran is “very much under control” contrasts with the reality that China is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, which complicates the U.S. position in the region. The claim that he does not think about Americans’ financial situation raises questions about the administration’s focus on domestic economic concerns, especially given the ongoing economic uncertainty.
### How this compares to what he has said before
In previous remarks, Mr. Trump has often emphasized the importance of negotiating with China and the need for a strong U.S. economy. His current dismissal of American financial concerns as a motivator for negotiations marks a shift from earlier statements where he highlighted the economic implications of international relations. This inconsistency raises questions about the administration’s priorities and approach to foreign policy.
In summary, Mr. Trump’s remarks during his visit to China reflect a complex interplay of confidence in military strength and a dismissive attitude toward domestic economic concerns, which may not align with the realities faced by many Americans.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-beijing-xi-jinping-meeting-arrival/