[Video below.] President Donald Trump arrived Thursday at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People for a closely watched summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as both nations confront mounting tensions tied to the war in Iran, instability in global energy markets, and ongoing economic disputes.

Chinese officials welcomed Trump with an elaborate state ceremony in Tiananmen Square that included a military honor guard and a thunderous cannon salute, underscoring the significance Beijing attached to the visit. After the public reception concluded, the two leaders moved into private meetings focused on a broad range of geopolitical and economic issues, including trade disagreements and the growing crisis surrounding the Persian Gulf.

As talks began, both leaders highlighted their personal relationship and publicly struck a warm tone.

The pair then headed into a bilateral meeting. Xi offered welcome remarks before Trump said of Xi, “You’re a great leader, sometimes people don’t like me saying it but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”

“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said before promising that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”

President Xi told President Trump: “Can we, in the interest of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations?” He also noted, “The whole world is watching our meeting.”

Despite the cordial public statements, the conflict involving Iran remained a central issue hanging over the summit. The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has fueled major concerns over global energy supplies, leading U.S. officials to press China — one of Iran’s largest oil customers — to use its leverage with Tehran.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that China itself has a strong economic incentive to help de-escalate the crisis.

Ahead of the trip, Trump reiterated that stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains a non-negotiable objective of his administration. He said concerns about the financial pressures facing American consumers would not alter his position in negotiations with Tehran.

“We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” the President noted, describing his position as one that every American understands.

Trade negotiations also ranked high on the agenda during the Beijing meetings. Trump traveled with a large delegation that included prominent leaders from the technology and defense industries, reflecting the administration’s push to secure additional business agreements with China.

Taiwan continued to loom as another sensitive topic between the two powers. While the Trump administration has approved substantial weapons sales to Taiwan, the President’s shifting comments on the issue have raised questions about the long-term direction of American support for the island.

With Taiwan remaining a dominant producer of the semiconductors that power much of the world’s advanced technology, officials on both sides recognize that the economic and strategic implications are enormous.

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{Matzav.com}