Trump says China shares U.S. goal to end Iran war in Beijing talks

President Donald Trump said on Friday that China and the United States shared a goal of ending the Iran war after two days of talks in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump told reporters before departing China that both governments wanted stability and an end to hostilities, according to video from his trip. The White House’s live schedule showed Trump in Beijing on May 14 for a greeting with Xi, a state banquet and other events linked to the summit. The visit had been delayed from late March after the war in Iran disrupted the original plan for the trip. ### What exactly did Trump say in Beijing? Trump said on May 15 that Washington and Beijing wanted the same outcome on Iran — an end to the fighting and a return to stability — and added, “we want peace,” according to video descriptions and contemporaneous reports from his departure in Beijing. The remarks came as he wrapped up his first visit to China in nearly a decade. (youtube.com) Beijing was the setting for the second day of Trump’s summit with Xi, including meetings at Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound, on Friday. White House and video listings showed the visit included formal events on May 14 and additional talks on May 15. ### Why was Iran part of a U.S.-China summit? The White House and Trump administration officials had tied the China trip to the Iran conflict for weeks before the visit. (youtube.com) Karoline Leavitt said on March 25 that Trump’s Beijing trip was moved to May 14-15 from March 31-April 2 because the president needed to remain in Washington as the war continued. Reuters, cited by Al Jazeera, reported at the time that the war had delayed the summit. (whitehouse.gov) Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 5 that Iran was still threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and the State Department said the United States had proposed a U.N. Security Council resolution to defend freedom of navigation there. The administration has also pressed other countries affected by the disruption to help restore normal traffic through the waterway. (aljazeera.com) ### What has China said publicly about the war? Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on March 16 that China called on parties to “immediately stop military operations,” avoid escalation and prevent wider economic damage from the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz. Lin repeated in later briefings that Beijing wanted an immediate ceasefire and said disputes should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. (state.gov) China’s public line has focused on energy security and shipping as well as diplomacy. A Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing on May 8 said Beijing was deeply concerned that vessels and crews had been caught in the conflict and stranded in the strait. ### What else was on the table with Xi? Associated Press reported on May 15 that Trump and Xi said they had made progress in stabilizing U.S.-China relations even as differences remained over Taiwan, trade and security issues. (fmprc.gov.cn) CNBC reported before the meeting that the agenda was expected to include trade, international conflict and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. (fmprc.gov.cn) Trump’s Beijing schedule underscored the summit’s formal character. White House listings showed a greeting at the Great Hall of the People, a state banquet and ceremonial events on May 14, followed by meetings on May 15 before Trump’s departure. ### What comes next after the Beijing visit? Karoline Leavitt said on March 25 that Xi was expected to visit Washington later in 2026. (apnews.com) The White House had not, in the material reviewed, published a full joint statement from the Beijing meetings by Friday afternoon. Trump left Beijing on May 15 after the second day of talks, and any next formal readout is likely to come from the White House, China’s foreign ministry or later remarks by Trump and Xi. (whitehouse.gov) (aljazeera.com)