Trump's CEO delegation seeks China wins amid trade war tensions

Seventeen American CEOs are joining President Donald Trump on a state visit to China this week, representing industries caught in the crossfire of the trade war. The delegation includes high-profile names like Apple’s Tim Cook, Tesla’s Elon Musk, Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, GE Aerospace’s Larry Culp, Cargill’s Brian Sikes, Micron’s Sanjay Mehrotra, and Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon. Also on the list are Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick, Illumina’s Jacob Thaysen, and Coherent’s Jim Anderson. Cisco’s Chuck Robbins declined due to earnings. The group is smaller than the 27 CEOs who joined Trump in 2017, reflecting heightened geopolitical tensions. Analysts note these companies seek deeper engagement with both China and the administration, wary of being used as 'geopolitical footballs' amid unpredictable trade policies.

Notably absent is Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who said he would have attended if invited. His exclusion suggests Washington is reluctant to ease tech export controls on China. The diverse delegation spans from soybeans (Cargill) to semiconductors (Micron, Qualcomm), underscoring the breadth of industries affected by US-China frictions. CEOs are expected to push for stable market access and clearer rules, especially as the US considers further restrictions on advanced chips and AI tech. The trip highlights the delicate balance American companies must strike between profits and national security concerns.