Prospects brighten for May 14–15 Trump–Xi summit after top-level calls
Prospects for a planned summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping brightened Wednesday after senior diplomatic and trade officials held a series of calls, signaling the meeting is likely to proceed as scheduled on May 14–15. The talks followed speculation the summit could be delayed again because of prolonged tensions in the Middle East.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. The conversation came as both sides prepare for high-level engagement and seek to manage strains over trade, Taiwan and regional security.
Wang said leader-level diplomacy has long guided the relationship and that ties have generally remained stable under the strategic direction of Xi and Trump. Wang urged both sides to preserve what he called a hard-won period of stability, prepare carefully for major high-level exchanges, expand cooperation and manage differences.
He reiterated that Taiwan is China’s core interest and the “biggest risk” in U.S.-China relations, calling on Washington to honor its commitments and make what Beijing views as the correct choice. China’s Foreign Ministry said Rubio described U.S.-China relations as the world’s most important bilateral relationship and emphasized that leader-level diplomacy is central to maintaining strategic stability.
Economic officials also engaged. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng spoke by video with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Reuters described the trade discussion as “candid and comprehensive,” with both sides raising concerns over trade restrictions and regulatory measures.
Taken together, the diplomatic and economic exchanges suggest Washington and Beijing are moving toward holding the summit as planned, even as disputes over Taiwan, trade restrictions and broader strategic competition persist.