Trump-Xi 2026 Summit

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold a summit in mid-May in Beijing, their first meeting since October and Trump’s first trip to China since 2017. Ahead of the summit, CSIS experts offer analysis on a range of issues likely to be on their agenda. Follow here for analysis as the summit unfolds.

Featured Analysis

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Unpacking President Trump’s Visit to China | State of Play

President Trump’s historic state visit to China came amid heightened geopolitical tension surrounding Iran, and both sides entered the talks with sharply different priorities. Even so, the summit produced a framework for deeper cooperation and delivered several economic gains.

Commentary by Edgard D. Kagan and Bonny Lin — May 15, 2026

Featured Video

Photo: CSIS

Why China is Confident Going into the Trump-Xi Summit

Ahead of the Trump-Xi summit this week, CSIS Trustee Chair Scott Kennedy looks back at what’s changed since Trump’s first and last visit in 2017 and shares takeaways from his recent trip to China. While China still faces domestic challenges, the country has emerged as a global tech leader and is increasingly confident it can manage its relations with the United States.

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What did the Trump-Xi Summit Achieve? | State of Play

Presented by Geopolitics and Foreign Policy
May 15, 2026 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT

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Experts

Scott Kennedy

Scott Kennedy

Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics
Bonny Lin

Bonny Lin

Director, China Power Project and Senior Adviser
Matthew P. Funaiole

Matthew P. Funaiole

Vice President, iDeas Lab, Andreas C. Dracopoulos Chair in Innovation and Senior Fellow, China Power Project
Ilaria Mazzocco

Ilaria Mazzocco

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics
Brian Hart

Brian Hart

Deputy Director and Fellow, China Power Project
Victor Cha

Victor Cha

President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair
Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Emily Harding

Emily Harding

Vice President, Defense and Security Department; Director, Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program
Kari Bingen

Kari A. Bingen

Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Williams

Heather Williams

Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Matt Pearl

Matt Pearl

Director, Strategic Technologies Program
Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Strategic Technologies Program
Hugh Nolan Grant-Chapman

Hugh Grant-Chapman

Fellow, Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business

All Trump-Xi 2026 Summit Content

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EST Rapid Roundup: Unpacking the Trump-Xi Summit Pt.2 - Tech Competition

Following the recent Trump-Xi summit, join CSIS's Navin Girishankar, Lauryn Williams, Aalok Mehta, and James Lewis to unpack what both sides expected, the implications of China's growing role as a global innovation hub, cybersecurity stakes, AI guardrails, and what China's coordination with Iran means for dialogue moving forward.

Event — May 20, 2026

EST Rapid Roundup: Unpacking the Trump-Xi Summit Pt.1 - Trade and Investment

Following the recent Trump-Xi summit, join CSIS's Navin Girishankar, Philip Luck, Kate Koren, Scott Kennedy, and Rick Rossow to break down what both sides expected, where tariffs and export controls stand today, and what frameworks could define the road ahead for U.S.-China trade and investment.

Event — May 20, 2026

Unpacking President Trump’s Visit to China | State of Play

President Trump’s historic state visit to China came amid heightened geopolitical tension surrounding Iran, and both sides entered the talks with sharply different priorities. Even so, the summit produced a framework for deeper cooperation and delivered several economic gains.

Commentary by Edgard D. Kagan and Bonny Lin — May 15, 2026

What did the Trump-Xi Summit Achieve?

The U.S.-China summit was expected to cover trade, investment, the war with Iran, and Taiwan. CSIS’s leading China experts assessed its outcomes in a special live episode of State of Play.

Transcript — May 15, 2026