Where Trump and Xi Jinping last held talks — and why it still matters

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Beijing shortly. Trump and Xi’s three-day summit is expected to focus on the US-Israel war on Iran, trade, and the status of Taiwan, among other issues. Trump is the first time in approximately a decade to visit China. Both the leaders met the last time in South Korea and struck a few deals. This meeting is being seen as an important one amid ongoing Iran conflict and trade war.

Trump-Jinping Busan meet

In October 30, 2025, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last met in Busan, South Korea, during a bilateral sit-down on the sidelines of the APEC Summit. It ended with broad agreements amid tariff war with both leaders showcasing bonhomie. Trump said the two sides had agreed on "almost everything." It resulted in a one-year agreement on rare earths. US reduced China-related fentanyl tariffs by 10 per cent. Trump agreed to a partial rollback of triple-digit US tariffs on specific Chinese imports. In return, Beijing pledged to purchase massive amounts of American agricultural products, including soybeans.

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Calling Xi a ‘tough negotiator’ and Jinping said that although the US and China did not always “see eye to eye,” both countries should aim to remain “partners and friends.” Both leaders expressed optimism ahead of the talks, with Trump saying he expected a “very successful meeting,” while Xi remarked that it was “great to see” him. Trump said the US and China had finalised a rare-earth agreement that could be renewed annually. He told reporters that “all the rare earths” issues had been settled and described the arrangement as important “for the world.” According to Trump, the deal would initially last one year before being renegotiated. The meeting did not result in a signed, formal treaty.