WASHINGTON, D.C. May 12, 2026 — President Donald J. Trump left the nation’s capital Tuesday aboard Air Force One for a landmark three-day state visit to Beijing, marking the first trip to China by a sitting U.S. president in nearly a decade.
In a video released by the White House, Trump is seen ascending the stairs of the presidential aircraft under clear blue skies. He paused midway, turned toward the camera, flashed a thumbs-up and waved before disappearing into the plane. A bold on-screen graphic reading “President Trump Departs For China” accompanied the short clip.
The White House described the journey as “historic,” noting that no American president has made an official state visit to China since 2017. Trump is scheduled to hold summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 13–15 in Beijing.
According to administration officials, the agenda will focus on several high-stakes issues, including:
- Trade imbalances and tariffs
- Technology competition and intellectual property protections
- Access to critical minerals and supply-chain security
- Regional tensions, including Taiwan and security concerns involving Iran
The trip comes at a pivotal moment in U.S.-China relations, with both sides seeking to stabilize ties amid ongoing economic and geopolitical friction. White House aides say Trump aims to secure concrete commitments from Beijing on fair trade practices while reinforcing America’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Trump’s departure was met with a wave of reactions on social media, ranging from strong support for his “America First” approach to skepticism and criticism from opponents. Supporters posted messages wishing him safe travels and success in negotiations; critics questioned the timing and potential outcomes.
Air Force One is expected to arrive in Beijing early Wednesday local time. Further updates on the summit will be provided by the White House as talks progress.
This visit underscores Trump’s return to high-level personal diplomacy with one of America’s most significant global competitors.
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