Marco Rubio warns China of ‘repercussions’ as he reveals what really happened during closed-door Trump and Xi meeting

Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled back the curtain on private conversations between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.

Beijing this week cleared the way for Rubio to land on Chinese soil, even though it has kept the Secretary of State under strict sanctions for nearly six years.

Rubio, a long-time China hawk who was blacklisted by the Communist regime in 2020 for his harsh criticism of the regime’s human rights record, was expected to be ‘persona non grata’ during President Trump’s visit.

But Chinese officials have signaled that existing sanctions will not prevent Rubio from visiting, offering a technical loophole to avoid a diplomatic disaster. They noted that the restrictions were tied to Rubio’s previous actions as a U.S. Senator rather than his current role as the nation’s top diplomat.

Trump and Xi’s first day began with an elaborate welcome ceremony with a red carpet, military honor guards, marching band and hundreds of schoolchildren waving American and Chinese flags.

The leaders then retired to the Great Hall of the People and discussed issues ranging from war in the Middle East to trade as far as Taiwan in the first official round of bilateral talks that lasted nearly two hours.

Taiwan’s status is a constant flashpoint in the two countries’ relations.

In closed-door talks, Xi issued a formal warning to Trump that ongoing tensions over Taiwan had the potential to jeopardize the entire US-China relationship.

When asked what the administration’s stance is on Taiwan currently and what is being discussed, Rubio kept the answer confidential.

“Our policies on this have not changed,” Rubio told NBC News. ‘It’s been pretty consistent across many presidential administrations, and it continues to be consistent now.’

Xi has repeatedly vowed to bring Taiwan under Chinese control and left military intervention on the table. But Rubio warned that any attempt to do so by force would be a “terrible mistake.”

‘This will have repercussions not only in the USA but globally,’ he said. ‘And we leave it there.’

Trump described the talks as ‘extremely positive’ and even invited Xi to the US later this year.

Rubio confirmed in an interview with NBC News that although the two leaders discussed the looming Iran crisis during the meeting, the United States ultimately did not seek a helping hand from the Communist regime.

Chinese officials have signaled that existing sanctions will not deter Rubio from the trip, offering a technical loophole to avoid a diplomatic disaster

Rubio, long a hawk and blacklisted by the Communist regime in 2020 for his harsh criticism of China’s human rights record, was expected to be “persona non grata” during President Trump’s visit.

Trump was greeted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng as he arrived aboard Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on Wednesday, May 13, 2026; He is followed by Eric and Lara Trump, Elon Musk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Rubio watches US President Donald Trump meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People

Their discussions largely focused on the ongoing war with Iran.

“The Chinese side has said that it is not in favor of the militarization of the Strait of Hormuz and it is not in favor of the pricing system, and that is our position,” Rubio told the reporter after Trump and Xi met for more than two hours.

The president was expected to use his summit with Xi to make progress in the Iran war.

The stakes couldn’t be higher right now: Iran’s dominance of the Strait of Hormuz has effectively paralyzed global energy transportation, sent gas prices into a steep rise, and hit families hard at the pump.

Trump gave China credit last month, saying they helped persuade Iran to negotiate a ceasefire with the United States.

“At some point we are not immune to global oil prices because we buy from the global market, but other countries around the world are paying a much higher price,” Rubio said. ‘They need to be involved too.’

Referring to Xi, Rubio emphasized that ‘Trump does not want anything from him’.

‘We don’t want China’s help.’ We don’t need their help,’ Rubio said.

The president’s visit to China was postponed by six weeks due to its involvement in the Iran war. China responded to the US and Israeli attacks that began in late February and demanded a solution to end the military offensive.

But there was a positive area of ​​overlap in the war. Rubio said the two leaders strongly agreed that Iran should never develop nuclear weapons.

The Chinese government’s report on the meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping did not make any direct reference to Iran.

The official statement said only that the leaders ‘exchanged views on important international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East,’ according to state news agency Xinhua.

Trump appears with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Nvidia Founder, Chairman and CEO Jensen Huang, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook and others during a welcoming ceremony in the Great Hall of the People

In his speech, Xi said both countries can ‘help each other succeed’ and ‘promote the prosperity of the whole world’.

President Donald Trump attends a welcoming ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday, May 14, 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the state banquet in the Great Hall of the People

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was seen laughing as he sat at the state banquet held for US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People

Rubio explained that the President also has other priorities in mind.

Jimmy Lai, an outspoken critic of the Communist Party, has been described by China as the ‘mastermind’ behind pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong throughout 2019.

In an interview with NBC News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the President advocated for Lai’s release during the summit.

“The president is always bringing up this case and several others, and of course we hope to get a positive response from that,” Rubio said.

Asked by Chinese officials whether the United States could provide a home for Lai if he is released, Rubio did not provide a direct answer but expressed flexibility on the terms of his release.

“As long as he is given his freedom, we will be open to any arrangement that will benefit them,” Rubio said.