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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Donald Trump – Xi Jinping Meeting is a face-to-face meeting held on 30 October 2025 in Busan, South Korea, between United States President Donald Trump and the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. The meeting marked the first diplomatic encounter between the two leaders in six years.
The meeting took place at Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea. It lasted approximately 100 minutes. The two leaders last met in October 2019 at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.
The meeting occurred as the final stop of Trump’s five-day Asia tour, which included visits to Malaysia and Japan. During this trip, Trump attended the ASEAN Summit, held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and addressed representatives of Japan’s business community. Xi Jinping traveled to South Korea to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting and to conduct a state visit.
Throughout 2025, commercial relations between the United States and China were strained due to mutual tariff applications and technology restrictions. At the start of the year, the Trump administration raised general tariff rates on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. This measure was initiated in the early months of Trump’s second presidential term. In March, the Beijing government imposed matching retaliatory tariffs of the same rate on U.S. goods, restricting imports of American products, particularly in agriculture and energy.
In April 2025, Trump announced new tariffs on Chinese imports on a date he labeled “Liberation Day.” Under this measure, the United States declared it would impose an additional average customs duty of 34% on all goods imported from China. In response, the Chinese government introduced a 45% additional tariff on U.S. agricultural products, especially soybeans.
A temporary agreement was reached in May, but by July 2025, the average tariff rate applied by the United States on Chinese goods had reached 145%, while the Beijing government had imposed a retaliatory tariff of 125% on U.S. imports.
During this period, the U.S. administration took steps to restrict China’s access to high technology. In August 2025, the White House implemented new regulations banning the export of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China. Sales of Nvidia’s high-end “Blackwell” chips to China were specifically prohibited. Washington justified this ban on national security grounds, stating that these chips could be used in “military simulations, surveillance, and cyber defense systems.”
The Chinese side viewed these restrictions as a violation of fair competition. The Beijing government responded by increasing state support for domestic manufacturers Huawei and Alibaba, launching policies to promote domestic AI and semiconductor production.
By October 2025, the Chinese government announced new controls on the export of rare earth elements. These controls targeted critical minerals used in electronics, defense, and green energy industries. China accounts for over 60% of global rare earth production, and this decision prompted a strong reaction from Washington. The U.S. administration described the move as “a threat to global supply chains.”
In response, the Trump administration announced on 10 October 2025 that it would impose an additional 100% customs duty on Chinese goods effective 1 November. In his statement, Trump asserted that “there is no longer mutual balance due to Beijing’s export restrictions on rare earths.”
Before the leaders’ meeting in Busan, delegations from the United States and China met in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, on 26–27 October 2025. The talks were held during the inter-sessional periods of the 47th ASEAN Summit.
The Chinese delegation was led by Vice Premier and Head of the Trade Team He Lifeng. The U.S. delegation was headed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Also present were Li Chenggang for China and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for the United States.
Following the meeting, Scott Bessent announced that the 100% tariffs scheduled to take effect on 1 November would not be implemented. He stated that both sides had addressed their mutual concerns and established a new framework agreement.
Chinese negotiator Li Chenggang stated that the parties had reached a fundamental understanding: the new licensing system for rare earth exports would be postponed for one year, and the United States had agreed to review its retaliatory tariffs.
Before the Busan meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the social media platform Truth Social that he had ordered the Pentagon to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing. In his statement, Trump said, “Due to other countries’ testing programs, I have directed the Department of Defense to begin testing our nuclear weapons under equal conditions. This process will begin immediately.”
Shortly before landing in South Korea, Trump stated that the United States possessed the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. He described Russia as the second-largest nuclear power and China as the “third country that could reach parity within five years.” When questioned by a journalist upon entering the meeting room about why he had changed his nuclear testing policy, Trump did not respond, offering only thanks.
The Chinese delegation at the Busan meeting was led by President Xi Jinping. Senior government and party officials were present. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accompanied Xi during the talks.
In addition, Vice Premier and Head of the Trade Team He Lifeng, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Zheng Shanjie, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, and Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi attended the meeting.
According to Reuters, the Chinese delegation also included senior trade negotiator Li Chenggang, who had participated in the preliminary talks in Malaysia prior to the Busan meeting.
The U.S. delegation was led by President Donald Trump. Accompanying him were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
Also present were U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Two senior advisors from the U.S. National Security Council were also present at the meeting.
On the morning of 30 October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea. The meeting marked the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since 2019.
The leaders shook hands in front of the press before moving to the meeting room. Before the meeting, Trump said, “I am confident we will have a very successful meeting. President Xi is a very tough negotiator.” Xi Jinping responded, “It is a great pleasure to see you again. It is natural that two economies with different national conditions sometimes have differences of opinion.”
Xi further noted recent economic and trade contacts between the two countries, stating that “the progress achieved in the Malaysia talks laid the groundwork for today’s meeting.”
After a brief open session, the meeting continued in a closed-door format, which lasted approximately 100 minutes.
In the opening of his remarks, Chinese President Xi Jinping thanked U.S. President Trump for his efforts toward world peace. Xi said, “You place great importance on world peace and actively seek solutions to regional hotspots. I appreciate your contribution to achieving the ceasefire in Gaza.”
Xi also highlighted Trump’s role as a mediator in the peace agreement signed in July between Cambodia and Thailand following border clashes.
The Chinese leader acknowledged that differences in political systems naturally lead to tensions but emphasized that “as major countries, China and the United States must assume shared responsibilities.” He added, “We know the world faces many challenges today. China and the United States can achieve concrete results for the benefit of both our countries and the world.”
Xi stated that there was no contradiction between China’s development process and Trump’s vision of “Making America Great Again.” He said, “China’s development is compatible with your vision of making America great again. The two countries can contribute to each other’s success,” signaling a message of economic cooperation.
At the end of his speech, Xi said, “Against winds, waves, and difficulties, you and I must keep the helm on the right course to ensure the steady progress of the great ship of China-U.S. relations.”
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed Xi Jinping, saying, “President Xi is a great leader of a great country. I believe we will have an extraordinary relationship that will last for many years.”
Trump noted that the delegations of both countries had already reached agreement on many issues and were close to reaching consensus on several new ones. “We have already agreed on many matters; now we will agree on a few more,” he said.
Trump also referenced his earlier social media post on Truth Social, saying, “I have been eagerly awaiting our meeting with President Xi. This meeting will produce a satisfactory outcome for both countries.”
During the meeting, Trump described Xi as a “very tough negotiator,” but added that “the two countries have known each other well for a long time and share a strong understanding.” Trump stated, “We have always had a good relationship.” At the end of this segment, the meeting was closed to the press, and the leaders began 1 hour and 40 minutes of private negotiations.
One of the main agenda items at the Busan meeting was the ongoing tension over customs tariffs between the United States and China. At the conclusion of the meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the establishment of a new trade agreement valid for one year between the two countries. Trump said, “We have a one-year trade agreement with China, and this agreement will be regularly extended.”
Trump also stated that tariffs on Chinese goods had been reduced from 57% to 47%. It was announced that the suspension period for the “mutual tariffs” would also be extended. The Chinese side indicated it was prepared to review its own trade restrictions in response to this step.
The groundwork for these developments was laid during preliminary talks held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 26–27 October 2025. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after those talks, “The parties reached an agreement on a framework that prevented the implementation of 100% tariffs.” Chinese chief negotiator Li Chenggang also stated that the two countries had reached a preliminary understanding based on mutual interests.
Another key topic discussed was China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements in the global market. After the meeting, Trump stated, “We have resolved the issue of rare earths.”
During the preliminary talks in Kuala Lumpur, the U.S. side proposed that China defer its licensing regime for rare earth elements and magnets for one year in exchange for a reduction in tariffs. This arrangement was confirmed at the highest level during the Busan meeting.
Semiconductor technology and AI chips were central topics at the Busan meeting. According to Reuters meeting notes, “AI chips were treated as one of the most sensitive issues between the two countries.”
The U.S. side argued that high-tech chips exported to China must remain prohibited if they are “suitable for military use,” allowing only “lower-risk commercial chips” to be sold. The Chinese side viewed this policy as a “double standard.”
The export of chips from Nvidia and AMD to China was also discussed. Xi Jinping affirmed China’s determination to develop “independent technological capacity” in this area.
The illicit trade of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production was among the security and health-related issues addressed. Trump characterized the flow of chemicals from China as “a cause of the overdose crisis in the United States,” and indicated that the 20% additional tariff on these chemicals would be reviewed during the meeting.
During the Busan negotiations, China agreed to strengthen control mechanisms over the export of fentanyl precursors. In response, the United States decided to reduce tariffs on fentanyl-related products from 20% to 10%.
It was also announced that China would resume imports of soybeans from the United States. According to Reuters, “The Beijing government confirmed that three soybean shipments had been purchased from the United States before the Busan meeting.”
The ownership status of TikTok in the United States was also discussed. Prior to the meeting, Trump said, “The agreement regarding TikTok’s U.S. operations can be finalized during this meeting.”
During the Busan talks, the U.S. side demanded that the China-based social media app transfer control of American user data to a U.S.-based entity. The Chinese side indicated its openness to cooperation on issues of “digital economy and data sovereignty.”
Regional security issues were also raised during the meeting. In his post-meeting statement, Trump said he and Xi Jinping would “work together on Ukraine.” He also stated that “the Taiwan issue was not raised during the meeting.” Chinese state media confirmed that Taiwan was not directly discussed at the Busan talks.
After the meeting concluded, U.S. President Donald Trump made a brief assessment before boarding Air Force One. Trump said, “The meeting was fantastic, many decisions were made.”
Trump also declared, “We have an agreement,” announcing the one-year trade deal between the two countries. “The United States has a one-year trade agreement with China, and this agreement will be regularly extended,” he stated.
Trump provided specific figures on tariffs, announcing that tariffs on Chinese goods would be reduced from 57% to 47%. He also said, “We have resolved the issue of rare earth elements.”
According to Reuters reporters, Trump addressed Xi Jinping at the end of the meeting as “a friend I have known for a long time,” adding, “Being with a friend is a great honor for me.” As Trump left Busan, he declined to take any questions from the press, waving to the crowd as he boarded the aircraft.
Shortly after the meeting ended, Chinese state media reported that the talks had lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes and had taken place in a “constructive atmosphere.”
Initial assessments based on sources from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the parties had reached a “fundamental understanding based on mutual interests.” The state news agency Xinhua reported that the two leaders had agreed on a new framework to sustainably manage their relations.
In his brief post-meeting remarks, Xi Jinping said, “We will continue working to establish a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations and create a favorable atmosphere for the development of both countries.”
Chinese media emphasized that the Busan meeting had taken place “in an atmosphere of mutual respect and friendly understanding.” It was also noted that “the progress achieved by U.S. and Chinese trade teams in Malaysia had been endorsed at the leadership level.”
During and after the meeting, limited protests were held in Busan, South Korea. According to Reuters and CNN, a small group gathered near the air base holding banners reading “Xi out.” South Korean police detained three individuals.
Chinese diplomats subsequently filed an official complaint with South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. South Korean authorities stated that the protests had been “under control.”
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for the first time in six years on October 30, 2025, in Busan, South Korea. The meeting took place following escalating trade wars and technology restrictions between the two countries throughout 2025. The leaders addressed issues including tariffs, rare earth elements, artificial intelligence chips, fentanyl and the digital economy. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reached an agreement on a one-year trade deal.
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October 30, 2025
Diplomatic Context Before the Meeting
October 30, 2025
Delegations
October 30, 2025
Beginning of the Meeting
October 30, 2025
Main Issues Discussed
October 30, 2025
Post-Meeting Statements and Initial Reactions