Overview
- Trump and Xi, who met for more than two hours Thursday in Beijing, signaled cautious optimism about stabilizing ties after their first in‑person talks since October 2025.
- According to a White House readout, both leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz should remain open to keep energy moving, underscoring the stakes for global fuel supplies.
- China’s account highlighted Taiwan as the most important issue in the relationship, while the U.S. statement did not mention Taiwan, pointing to a clear difference in priorities.
- Trump said Friday in a Fox News interview that Xi offered to help on Iran and pledged not to supply Tehran with weapons, claims not echoed in China’s public readout.
- Oil prices rose earlier Thursday as traders watched the summit for signs of progress on reopening shipping through the Strait, a chokepoint that carries a large share of the world’s crude.