Trump leverages U.S. corporate titans in Beijing meeting with Xi Jinping
US-China trade: Nvidia chips, the auto market and intellectual property theft highlight a complex relationship
Trade talks between the United States and China are intensifying as President Trump’s administration tackles complex issues, including the U.S. Commerce Department’s decision to allow the sale of Nvidia H200 chips to 10 Chinese companies. Experts also warn against allowing Chinese electric vehicles into the U.S. market, citing intellectual property theft concerns. The geopolitical and economic stability of the two countries remains at the heart of the ongoing negotiations.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As details emerge from President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a key reality is emerging: China still wants America’s business, and Trump may have the upper hand.
Trump’s high-level trade delegation highlights the economic balance the two countries seek to achieve. Xi wants investment and continued access to American corporate power, while Trump is positioning himself to use trade pressure and market access as leverage with Beijing.
The list of heavyweights alongside Trump for the trip includes tech executives like Apple’s Tim Cook, Tesla and SpaceX’s Elon Musk, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Micron’s Sanjay Mehrotra and Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick.
The overlap between politics and business was evident before the meetings even began. Huang was reportedly added to Trump’s trip at the last minute. He even got a seat on Air Force One — a sign of Nvidia’s central role in the global chip race and broader tech tensions between the United States and China.
TRUMP GETS WELCOME ON RED CARPET IN CHINA, BUT PAST TRIP TO BEIJING SHOWS APAGE ONLY GOES SO FAR
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, arrived in Beijing aboard Air Force One as part of President Donald Trump’s delegation for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Johannes Neudecker/photo alliance/Getty Images)
Also present were Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone, Larry Fink of BlackRock, Jane Fraser of Citigroup and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs.
Many of them join the president and are among the richest business leaders in the world. Musk, for example, is the richest person in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Schwarzman and Huang have amassed fortunes in the tens of billions.
Together, the group represents trillions of corporate power with deep trade ties to China despite years of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Their businesses still rely heavily on Chinese consumers, manufacturing and supply chains, even as Washington and Beijing clash over tariffs, technology and national security.
This influence is already manifesting itself in the negotiations.
The two sides discussed expanding access for U.S. companies to Chinese markets, a top priority for travel executives. Xi said his opportunities at home “will only open wider and wider,” according to Chinese state media.
‘Intense standoff’ breaks out between Secret Service, Chinese officials at Trump-XI event: REPORT
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang arrived with President Donald Trump’s delegation in Beijing, China. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
At the same time, Washington is considering measures that would directly affect these companies. The United States could allow Nvidia to sell its H200 chips, a step below its most advanced semiconductors, to a limited number of Chinese companies, according to Reuters, even as broader disputes over artificial intelligence and export controls remain unresolved.
They also discussed increased Chinese investment in the United States and purchases of American products, including beef, soybeans and Boeing planes, long-standing trade pressure points.
But the cooperative tone was also laced with threats.
Xi warned of potential conflict between the United States and China and delivered a direct message on Taiwan, a key hotspot and hub for advanced semiconductor production.
It is in this mixture of awareness and tension that Trump sees an opening.
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping represent the two most powerful economies in the world. (Brendan Smialowski – Piscine/Getty Images)
If U.S. companies still seek access and Beijing indicates it wants them, Trump can argue that economic pressure is working — strengthening his case for tariffs, export controls and tougher trade terms.
Leaders are pushing for greater access and stability in China while navigating a U.S. strategy built on economic pressure and national security concerns — underscoring both the importance of the market and the influence Washington believes it holds.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Trump has already invited Xi to the White House in September, announcing further negotiations to come. For now, the message from Beijing is clear: China still wants American business.
