The latest: Both sides claim progress was made as Trump concludes two-day visit

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet on Friday to wrap up a two-day state visit in Beijing.

The conversations between the world leaders focused on divisive issues such as the Iran war, trade, technology, and a stark warning about Taiwan.

Trump and Xi are scheduled to have tea and lunch before Trump departs for the United States. 

US President Donald Trump (R) and China's President Xi Jinping inspect a guard of honour during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. (Photo by Kenny HOLSTON / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Here's the latest: 

White House ballroom ahead of schedule

7:35 a.m. ET: President Trump says the White House ballroom is ahead of schedule as he touts China's own ballroom. 

Trump via Truth Social

Trump leaves China

2:43 a.m. ET: President Trump boarded Air Force One to leave after his two day visit .

Both Trump and Xi mentioned they made progress in stabilizing the relationship between the two nations. 

At the sendoff, Chinese schoolchildren were dressed in some of Air force One's light blue and white colors and waved Chinese and American flags. 

"Farewell, farewell," they chanted. "Warm farewell!"

US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One before his departure from Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 15, 2026. Trump said he had made "fantastic trade deals" with China's Xi Jinping, as the pair met on May 15 at final talks of a superpo

President Xi says Trump visit helped mutual trust

2:30 a.m. ET: President Xi said the "landmark" visit deepened the mutual trust between the U.S. and China. 

"This visit is a historic and landmark visit. Together, we affirmed the new position of a constructive, strategic and stable China-U.S. relationship," the Chinese president said, according to a readout from CCTV.

"The visit is also beneficial to promoting mutual understanding, deepening trust in each other, and increasing the well-being of the people of both countries," Xi said.

Taiwan thanks US

2 a.m. ET: Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung sent thanks to the U.S. for their continued support that was expressed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

Thursday, Rubio told NBC News that U.S. policy remains unchanged in regard to Taiwan, and it would be a "terrible mistake" if China were to take Taiwan by force. 

Trump says he's made ‘fantastic trade deals’ in visit to China

12:30 a.m. ET: President Trump told Fox News that he struck ‘fantastic trade deals’ during a ‘incredible’ visit to China. 

Trump mentioned soybeans, airplanes and oil in an interview after praising a visit with President Xi. 

BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 15: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures towards Chinese President Xi Jinping while leaving after a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden on May 15, 2026 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Evan Vucci - Pool/Getty Images)

Two sides meet for lunch

11:59 p.m. ET: President Trump along with several of his top aides attended a tea with lunch with President Xi and a team of his top aides.

China calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz

11:38 p.m. ET: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called in a bilateral meeting for a solution in the war between the Iran and U.S. with reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

"Now that the door for dialogue has been opened, then it shouldn’t be shut again," China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday, adding that the solution should "take into account the concerns of all parties on the Iran nuclear issue."

"Shipping routes should be reopened as soon as possible," the ministry said.

 US-China closed door meeting

11:05 p.m. ET: In a closed-door meeting on Thursday, Xi warned Trump that differences over Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory, could bring the U.S. and China into clashes or conflict. 

Meanwhile, in December, Trump authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, but has not yet moved forward with delivery. 

What they're saying:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio later warned that it would be "a terrible mistake" for China to take Taiwan by force.

Trump also hopes to focus talks on trade and deals for China to buy more agricultural products and passenger planes, setting up a board to address their differences and avoid a repeat of the trade war ignited last year after Trump’s tariff hikes.

The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press and reporting from Reuters. This story was reported from San Jose. 

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