Trump arrives in Beijing with Nvidia, Apple, and Musk for Xi summit
Tech CEOs join Trump’s entourage as trade talks with China reach a critical juncture
US President Donald Trump touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport on Wednesday evening, kicking off his first trip to China since 2017 with a lavish welcome ceremony. Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng received the president, who arrived without First Lady Melania Trump but accompanied by his son Eric and daughter-in-law Lara. The real headline, however, is the star-studded tech delegation in his entourage.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was a last-minute addition, underscoring the central role of AI chips in US-China trade tensions. Elon Musk and Apple’s Tim Cook also joined, alongside top cabinet officials: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (who will fly in from Seoul after wrapping up trade talks). The presence of these tech titans signals that semiconductor access, AI regulation, and supply chains will dominate the Xi summit dialogue.
- Trump’s delegation includes Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (last-minute), Elon Musk, and Tim Cook of Apple.
- Treasury Secretary Bessent joins from Seoul after finalizing latest trade talks with China.
- First visit to Beijing since 2017; first lady absent, replaced by son Eric and daughter-in-law Lara.
Why It Matters
Tech CEOs at a US-China summit signals AI and semiconductor policy are now central to geopolitics.