Trump Hails Xi As ‘Great Leader’ As Chinese Prez Says ‘We Should Be Partners, Not Rivals’

Last Updated:May 14, 2026, 08:31 IST

Donald Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing, praised him and called for a fantastic future, as Xi urged China and the US to be partners not rivals.

United States President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in Beijing for a superpower summit, which is set to address thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan.

Xi welcomed Trump with a handshake at the opulent Great Hall of the People amid a grand reception that belies the deep tensions between the world’s biggest economies.

While greeting Xi, Trump said, “You are a great leader. People don’t like me saying that..but I say it anyway because it’s true."

Trump said to Xi that the two superpowers would have a “fantastic future together" as the men met for talks in Beijing.

“It’s an honour to be with you. It’s an honour to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before," said Trump, at the meeting in the Great Hall of the People.

Responding to Trump’s gesture, Xi said, “The whole world is watching our meeting.

Chinese leader Jinping said to Trump that the two countries should be “partners and not rivals".

“A stable China-US relationship is a boon for the world. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both. We should be partners and not rivals," Xi said.

Xi further said that he was “happy" to receive Trump for the US leader’s first trip to China since 2017, as “the world has arrived at a new crossroads."

(With inputs from AFP)

News world Trump Hails Xi As ‘Great Leader’ As Chinese Prez Says ‘We Should Be Partners, Not Rivals’

Read More