Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are wrapping up the final round of talks on day two of a landmark summit in Beijing, after which the US leader will depart on Air Force One for the US.
The two leaders are meeting in the walled-off Zhongnanhai complex, the secretive Chinese leadership compound, for a tea session and lunch.
Trump said they "settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn't have been able to solve" as he said they talked about trade, Iran, and "a lot of other things" while sitting alongside Xi.
Xi gave him a tour of the gardens in the Zhongnanhai compound and promised to send seeds of the Chinese roses as a gift to Trump after the US leader admired the flowers.In a rambling, hour-long sit-down with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, the president discussed the possible sale of Boeing airplanes and soybeans to China, complimented is own bombing campaign in Iran.
“I think it's a very historic summit. It's the two great countries, I call it the G2,” he said as he rounded out the interview.
China’s foreign ministry said Trump and Xi had reached a “series of new consensuses” during their talks in Beijing and called for a swift resolution to the Iran war.
Trump says he is very impressed with China
During their walk around Zhongnanhai, Trump said he was very impressed with China and promised to reciprocate the hospitality.
"Like reciprocal trade the visit will be reciprocal," Trump said, referring to the 24 September visit of Xi to Washington.
"So we’re gonna lay it on the line and we’re gonna have... and you’re gonna walk away hopefully very impressed, like I’m very impressed with China."
While walking in the gardens with Xi, Trump complimented the flowers at the Communist Party compound, saying: "These are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen."
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 06:31
Trump reporters get McDonald’s outside Zhongnanhai
While Donald Trump enjoyed a formal lunch inside Xi Jinping’s residence in Zhongnanhai, everyone waiting outside got something much more familiar to the US president – McDonald’s.
Outside the residence, US embassy staff, White House aides and members of the travelling press corps were handed bags of burgers and fries as they waited in parking lots and vans for Trump’s departure back to Washington.
McDonald’s is famously one of Trump’s favourite meals. His chief of staff Susie Wiles recently said he eats it almost every day.
During his 2024 re-election campaign, Trump even worked briefly at a McDonald’s drive-thru window, and earlier this year had a McDonald’s order delivered to the Oval Office during an event on taxes for tipped workers.
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 06:09
While Trump sits down for tea with Xi, Christians in China face an unprecedented crackdown
Pastor Jin Mingri was eating dinner at his apartment in Beihai in China’s Guangxi province on 10 October when at least 20 plainclothes police officers barged in and arrested him.
The founder of the Zion Church was among dozens of Christians who were arrested that month in a nationwide crackdown on unauthorised churches.
Alisha Rahman Sarkar15 May 2026 06:07
Trump and Xi begin their lunch
Trump and Xi have begun their working lunch, the final event on the schedule before the US president returns to Washington.
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 05:54
In pictures: Trump and Xi tour garden in final day of talks
The final day of talks is still underway in China as Xi and Trump met at the Zhongnanhai compound.
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 05:38
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 05:30
Xi says US and China have reached a 'new bilateral relationship'
Xi Jinping said he and Donald Trump had reached a “new bilateral relationship” that was “constructive” during the joint address.
He said they have reached a “milestone” in US-China ties.
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 05:29
Trump talks about Iran and thank Xi in closing remarks
Donald Trump said they talked about trade, Iran, and "a lot of other things" as the two leaders spoke in front of the press to deliver their closing remarks.
Trump said they "settled a lot of different problems that other people woudn't have been able to solve".Speaking about Iran, he said "we don't want them to have nuclear weapons", and "we want the strait open".
He also extended gratitude to Xi, saying it's an honour to be in Beijing.
He said the two leaders would meet again on 24 September, when Xi is due to visit the US, adding that he hoped Xi would be as impressed by America then as Trump said he was by China during this visit.
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 05:19
Trump and Xi deliver closing remarks
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping were seated alongside senior officials from both sides, including Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, US ambassador to China David Perdue and US trade representative Jamieson Greer.
Trump said the two countries had made “fantastic trade deals”.
Xi was accompanied by several top Chinese officials, including his chief of staff Cai Qi, foreign minister Wang Yi, Vice Premier He Lifeng and vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu.
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 05:13
Xi and Trump spoke privately for 10 minutes
Trump and Xi reportedly spoke privately for about 10 minutes away from reporters before continuing their walk through the Zhongnanhai compound.
“These are the most beautiful roses anyone has ever seen,” Trump remarked as they walked together.
When asked if he was enjoying the visit, the US president responded with a thumbs up before a Chinese official told reporters: “No questions.”
The two leaders then continued through a covered passageway decorated with painted archways depicting birds and traditional Chinese mountain landscapes.
Xi, speaking through a translator, explained the history of the compound and said he would send Trump rose seeds.
Shweta Sharma15 May 2026 05:10