US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed to increase purchases of American products and energy during their meeting in Beijing, in what the White House presented as a significant step towards easing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
In an interview with Fox News due to air later on Thursday, Trump said Xi had pledged to help the United States on Iran and to buy US soybeans, more oil, liquefied natural gas and other energy products.
Trump also said China had agreed to buy 200 Boeing 737 aircraft. Boeing had already been in talks over a possible deal to sell up to 500 737 Max aircraft to China, while the company’s chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, was in Beijing as part of the US delegation.
The Trump-Xi meeting lasted two hours and 15 minutes, according to the White House.
Hormuz and Iran discussed
In its official readout, the White House said the two leaders discussed trade, business ties, the war with Iran and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
A White House official said both sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to ensure the free flow of energy.
The same official said Xi had expressed China’s opposition to the militarisation of the strait and to any attempt to impose tolls for its use.
The Chinese president was also said to have shown interest in larger purchases of US oil as Beijing looks to reduce its long-term dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the White House, the two leaders also agreed that Iran “must never acquire a nuclear weapon”.
NEW: President Trump highlights the special relationship between the United States and China:
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 14, 2026
“The American and Chinese people share much in common. We value hard work. We value courage and achievement. We love our families and we love our countries.”
“Together, we have the… pic.twitter.com/jWwS05QigD
Rubio: US did not ask China for help
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had raised Iran during his talks with Xi, but insisted that Washington had not asked Beijing for assistance.
“We are not asking for China’s help. We do not need their help,” Rubio told NBC News, adding that China agreed with the United States that Iran should not have nuclear weapons and had raised the issue during the meetings.
Rubio also said Chinese officials told the US delegation that Beijing did not support the militarisation of the Strait of Hormuz or the creation of a toll system for the waterway.
“It is positive that we have an alliance, or at least agreement on that point,” Rubio said.
Secretary of State Rubio told NBC that Trump raised Iran directly with China. Both sides oppose militarizing the Strait of Hormuz and reject a tolling system. pic.twitter.com/X8Dvne7o2y
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 14, 2026
