Chinese President Xi Jinping told American CEOs traveling with President Donald Trump that business in China will become more accessible.
“Xi said that U.S. companies are deeply involved in China’s reform and opening up, and both sides have benefited from this,” according to a report from state-backed newspaper Xinhua.
“Noting that China’s door will only open wider, Xi said China welcomes the United States to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with China and expressed belief that U.S. companies will enjoy even broader prospects in China,” the report added.
Among the top technology CEOs who traveled with Trump to China were Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Trump introduced them to Xi individually.
“The U.S. entrepreneurs said that they attach great importance to the Chinese market, and hope to deepen their business operations in China and strengthen cooperation with China,” the newspaper said.
The White House, posting on X, appeared to reciprocate the sentiment around market access.
“The two sides discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between countries, including expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment,” the White House said in a statement on X.
Xi’s comments are “a strong statement to world companies to continue to invest in China,” said George Chen, partner and co-chair of digital practice at The Asia Group.
“I think the statement Xi made about opening up is not just for propaganda. China does need to remain attractive for foreign investments,” Chen added.
During brief on-camera remarks, Trump looked directly at China’s Xi Jinping and delivered a masterstroke about the possible deals they could do together — if China is willing to play ball.
“I brought the 30 most powerful business leaders on the planet to these talks… and they all said yes. I didn’t send the second-in-command or the vice president,” Trump said.
“I wanted the number one from each empire! Jensen Huang, Tim Cook, Elon Musk, and the other titans… the best in the world are here, right in front of you,” Trump added.
“They’re here today to pay respect to you and to China. They come hungry to do business, invest, and create. From our side, it’ll be 100% reciprocal,” the president continued.
Included in those discussions was Iran, with the two leaders saying Tehran must open the Strait of Hormuz and cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.
Breaking down the discussions on “Fox & Friends” Thursday morning, co-host Brian Kilmeade made several observations based on reporting on discussions between Trump and Xi, noting especially the implications for Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin.
“It looks like he’s [Trump] saying, ‘We’re the two leaders, let’s find a way to get along.’ You know who’s having a really bad day and week or two weeks? Vladimir Putin,” Kilmeade said.
“I mean, not only is he beginning to lose the war in Ukraine, he’s seeing that special relationship supposed to realign the world go up in flames,” he continued.
“Because at the very least, if we’re just to look at the words of the leaders, they’re looking to work together,” he added.
“Vladimir Putin hoped to get China on their side and work together as a junior partner and isolate us,” he continued. “And I think that President Xi is saying, ‘well, that’s not gonna happen.’”
The two-day visit marks Trump’s first trip to China since 2017.
The visit comes amid rising tensions over trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and the repercussions of the war with Iran.
