- By Ajeet Kumar
- Thu, 14 May 2026 08:40 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- US President Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Xi posed the key question: "Can we work together?"
- Leaders discussed global challenges and bilateral relations.
US President Donald Trump met his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Thursday, where he posed a defining question: “Can we work together?” The remark came at a time when both nations are deeply knotted through massive trade ties while simultaneously competing for dominance as the world’s leading superpower.
“Can we work together to address global challenges and bring greater stability to the world? Can we focus on the well-being of our peoples and the future of humanity, and jointly create a brighter future for bilateral relations?" Xi asked Trump with top leaders in the tense room.
.@POTUS meets with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2026
"It's an honor to be with you, it's an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the U.S.A. is going to be better than ever before. Thank you very much!" pic.twitter.com/aepz02qOgj
He added: "These are questions of history, of the world, and of the people. They are also the defining questions of our time that you and I, as leaders of major countries, must answer together."
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In his remarks ahead of the meeting with Xi, Trump said he has a fantastic relationship with the Chinese president. He added that he believes the relationship is "going to be better than ever."
The pomp-filled summit began at Beijing's imposing Great Hall of the People, where Xi greeted Trump on the red carpet, with the leaders shaking hands and smiling warmly.
"You're a great leader"
Chinese troops goose-stepped to revolutionary anthems in front of the visiting US president, while schoolchildren waving American and Chinese flags cheered as the two leaders strolled past, Trump occasionally patting Xi on the back. "You're a great leader. Sometimes, people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway," Trump told Xi as they sat across from each other, flanked by their delegations.
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"There are those who say this may be the biggest summit ever ... It's an honour to be with you. It's an honour to be your friend and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before," Trump said.
Xi told Trump: "Each country's success represents an opportunity for the other, and a stable China–US relationship benefits the entire world. When we cooperate, both sides benefit; when we confront each other, both sides suffer."
(With inputs from Reuters)