Donald Trump is making his first official state trip to China since 2017, and he won’t be travelling to Beijing by himself.
Trump is due to land in China today (May 13), with trade expected to dominate his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, talking about it ‘more than anything else’.
Despite last year’s strain in relations following Trump’s steep tariffs on Chinese imports, he has suggested the reception could still be warm, saying he expects a ‘big, fat hug’ from Xi.
Alongside trade and broader bilateral ties, the pair may also address the mounting tensions involving the US, Iran and Israel. Reports say American officials have been encouraging China to press Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, per The Guardian, and to accept Trump’s peace terms.
Trump also isn’t making the journey alone. A sizeable group of senior executives is reportedly accompanying him on Air Force One, with business and investment interests high on the agenda.
Newsweek reports that figures from major sectors—including semiconductors, finance, agriculture, aerospace, technology and payments—are part of the delegation.
Executives and representatives linked to companies such as Mastercard, Visa, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and Meta are said to be travelling with Trump on Air Force Once.
The article notes there is a fuller roster of attendees heading to Beijing.
Elon Musk also confirmed he would be there, posting on Twitter (which he’s since renamed as X): “On my way to Beijing in Air Force One.”
Before Trump’s 2017 trip, the most recent US president to make an official visit to China was Barack Obama—who Trump recently branded ‘demonic’.
CGTN has reported that Obama travelled to Beijing three times while in office, including a visit tied to the 2014 APEC meeting.
However, George W. Bush is believed to have made more trips to China than any other US president, travelling there four times between 2001 and 2009.
His final visit came in August 2008, when he attended the Beijing Olympics.