US and China Begin Bilateral Talks in Beijing

Beijing. Bilateral talks between the United States and China have begun at the Great Hall of the People in China's capital, Beijing. During his opening remarks, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump and his delegation, emphasizing that the two countries should be partners rather than rivals.

President Xi noted that the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is highly unstable and volatile. He stated that the world is at a new crossroads and asked, 'Can China and the United States avoid the 'Thucydides Trap' and establish a new model of relations?'

Xi said that as the world's two major powers, it is their responsibility to answer these questions for the future of history and humanity. On the same occasion, he also congratulated Trump and the United States on the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Stating that the two countries have many common interests rather than differences, Xi expressed confidence that the success of one would be an opportunity for the other, and stable bilateral relations would benefit the entire world. He expressed his eagerness to work with Trump to add a new chapter to the relationship between the two countries by making 2026 a landmark year in history.

In response, US President Trump called his meeting with President Xi an 'honor'. He recalled that in the past, even when difficulties arose, they had quickly resolved problems through phone calls.

Trump described Xi as a 'great leader' and said that he had brought the world's best business leadership with him this time. He mentioned that some people have called this meeting the biggest summit ever and expressed great enthusiasm for his friendship with President Xi and the upcoming discussions. Trump also claimed that the relationship between the United States and China would now be even stronger than before.

According to Chinese media CCTV, Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, US Trade Representative Jamison Greer, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessen at this meeting.

According to Kelly Grice, an expert at the Stimson Center, Trump's respectful expression towards Xi has placed China on an equal footing with the US in the talks. Trump wants to prove that he has brought a good deal by agreeing to purchase US agricultural products, aircraft, and other goods from China.

However, it has been analyzed that the effectiveness of last year's tariffs has been limited, and China's control over rare earth metals, crucial for semiconductor production, has weakened America's bargaining power.

Although Trump is expected to seek China's cooperation in increasing pressure on Iran, it is speculated that China may also make some demands according to its own interests in return.