Trump meets with Xi in China amid trade and Iran tensions

President Donald Trump was welcomed with fanfare in China during a closely watched visit centered on trade, technology and growing tensions in the Middle East.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump was welcomed with fanfare in China during a closely watched visit centered on trade, technology and growing tensions in the Middle East.

During the trip, Trump inspected a military honor guard, toured cultural sites and praised Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“You’re a great leader,” Trump said. “Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”

The summit comes as tensions continue simmering beneath the surface between the world’s two largest economies. Among the major issues discussed were trade disputes, China’s restrictions on freedoms and ongoing U.S. concerns that China is attempting to obtain American artificial intelligence technology. Trade remained a major focus throughout the talks, with Trump encouraging China to further open its markets to American companies.

“They look forward to trade and doing business,” Trump said.

Chinese state media reported that Xi welcomed stronger business ties during two hours of meetings between the two leaders. The ongoing conflict involving Iran was also part of the discussions. China remains Iran’s most powerful ally and its largest buyer of oil, giving Beijing significant influence in the region.

“It’s in their interest to resolve this,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. “We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they’re doing now and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf.”

Taiwan also emerged as a major point of tension during the summit. China claims the self-governing democratic island as its own territory, while the United States has continued providing Taiwan with military support and weapons.According to a Chinese government spokesperson, Xi warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to conflict between the two nations.

Trump later indicated he planned to discuss U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Xi, drawing concern from some Democrats in Washington.

“It reflects a possible sellout of Taiwan,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said.