President Trump and President Xi Plan Reciprocal State Visits in 2026

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in April 2026. In return, Trump has invited Xi for a state visit to the United States later in the year. The announcement followed a phone conversation between the two leaders, during which they discussed various issues, including Ukraine, fentanyl, and agricultural trade.

"Our relationship with China is extremely strong!" Trump stated in a Truth Social post.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the call, noting that the leaders discussed trade, Taiwan, and Ukraine. Xi emphasized that Taiwan's return to mainland China is "an integral part of the postwar international order," underscoring Beijing's stance on the issue.

The conversation occurred amid heightened tensions between China and Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently suggested that Japan might intervene militarily if China were to take action against Taiwan. In response, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized Japan for "crossing a red line" and warned of a firm Chinese response.

Despite these regional tensions, the U.S. and China have made progress in trade relations. Since the leaders' meeting in South Korea in late October, China has ordered nearly 2 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, ending a months-long boycott. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins expressed optimism, stating that "every sign is their commitment remains true that they will indeed buy or purchase 12 million metric tons."

Additionally, China has implemented export restrictions on 13 chemicals used to produce fentanyl, a synthetic opioid linked to numerous overdose deaths in the U.S. In return, the Trump administration has reduced tariffs on Chinese goods.

Xi expressed hope for a "fair, lasting and binding peace agreement" in Ukraine and stressed Beijing's support for "all efforts that are conducive to peace."

Both leaders have expressed a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through these upcoming state visits and ongoing discussions on critical global issues.