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Trump Confirms April 2026 China Visit; Xi Expected to Visit U.S. by Year-End
U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to visit China in April 2026 and confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to the United States toward the end of 2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the two leaders could meet up to four times during the year. The announcements signal renewed high-level engagement between Washington and Beijing following a stabilized trade relationship.
Why It Matters
The planned summits represent significant diplomatic engagement between the world's two largest economies after trade tensions earlier in Trump's term. Multiple high-level meetings are expected to help de-escalate potential conflicts and maintain the recent trade détente, with implications for global economic stability and U.S.-China relations.
Timeline
7 Events
Xi Jinping's Planned U.S. Visit
Late 2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to travel to the United States toward the end of 2026, which would mark the first such state visit hosted by Washington during Trump's current term.
Trump's Planned April 2026 Beijing Visit
April 2026
Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing in April 2026, marking his first visit to China since returning to office during his second term.
Bessent Outlines Potential 2026 Meeting Opportunities
January 22, 2026
Treasury Secretary Bessent identified multiple opportunities for Trump-Xi meetings: Trump's April Beijing visit, a potential summer visit by Xi to Washington D.C. or Mar-a-Lago, the G20 summit in Miami, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Shenzhen, China.
Trump Publicly Confirms April China Trip and Year-End Xi Visit
January 22, 2026
Aboard Air Force One returning from Davos, Trump told reporters he will visit China in April and that Xi will travel to the United States toward the end of 2026. Trump praised Xi as 'an amazing guy' and noted improved U.S.-China relations since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bessent Meets Chinese Vice Premier at World Economic Forum
January 22, 2026
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Bessent confirmed China has completed its full allocation of soybean purchases under the Trump-Xi trade deal and stated that Trump and Xi could meet up to four times in 2026.
Trump Agrees to April 2026 Beijing Visit
November 2025
Following a phone call initiated by Xi, Trump accepted an invitation to visit Beijing in April 2026 and invited Xi for a state visit later that year.
Trump and Xi Meet in South Korea
October 30, 2025
U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met bilaterally on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, South Korea, discussing trade, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, fentanyl, and Taiwan.