Xi charms Trump by repeating his signature catchphrase while warning the president not to ‘mess up’ their relationship during glitzy State Banquet after intense Iran talks

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping walked in together to the sound of claps and ceremonial music at a lavish welcoming State Banquet hosted by the Middle Kingdom – ready to partake in food diplomacy.

The two took their seats, seemingly in good spirits as the translator announced Xi’s toast to kick-off the night. Xi welcomed the US President and his delegation that traveled far to attend the event.

Trump extended a formal invitation for President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan to visit Washington. 

In his speech, Trump hailed the relationship between the US and China as ‘one of the most consequential’ in history.

Trump traded the often-stark rhetoric of trade competition for a sweeping narrative of shared history, citing everything from the philosophies of Confucius to the ubiquity of Chinese restaurants in America.

‘It really was a magnificent welcome like none other,’ Trump said, thanking Xi, whom he referred to as ‘my friend.’ He described their earlier meetings as ‘extremely positive and productive,’ adding that their discussions were ‘all good for the United States and China.’

In his speech, Xi called for a new era of ‘strategic civility’ between the world’s two largest economies on Thursday, telling visiting Trump that the bilateral relationship is too critical to global stability.

‘We must make this work and never mess it up,’ Xi warned, despite the positivity of the speech.

He even coined Trump’s favorite phrase, saying they must ‘make America great.’

‘Across the centuries, this mutual esteem grew into a relationship that reflected the tremendous talent and potential of our two people,’ Trump said of the two countries.

‘Chinese restaurants in America today outnumber the five largest fast food chains in the United States all combined,’ Trump said. ‘That’s a pretty big statement.’

Trump cited the contribution of Chinese workers to the American transcontinental railroad and the US role in establishing Xi’s alma mater, Tsinghua University, through funds provided by President Theodore Roosevelt. 

Trump also pivoted to modern cultural ties, noting the popularity of American ‘basketball and blue jeans’ in China, while pointing out the massive footprint of Chinese culture in the US.

Xi said in his speech that both countries can ‘help each other succeed’ and ‘advance the well-being of the whole world.’ 

Xi struck a tone of mutual ambition, linking China’s long-term development goals with Trump’s domestic agenda. The address, delivered during Trump’s state visit to China, emphasized that the success of one nation does not have to come at the expense of the other.

‘The people of China and the United States are both great people,’ Xi said. ‘Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great can go hand in hand. We can help each other succeed and advance the well-being of the whole world.’

Xi framed the meeting within a wider historical context, noting that this year marks the start of China’s 15-year economic plan and the 250th anniversary of American independence. He also looked back 65 years to the ‘milestone’ diplomacy of Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, which ended two decades of frozen relations.

Under the ‘new situation’ of modern global politics, Xi argued that ‘mutual respect, peaceful co-existence and win-win cooperation’ remain the only viable paths forward.

‘The world today is changing and turbulent,’ Xi said. ‘Both sides should rise up to this historic responsibility and steer the giant ship of China/US relations forward, steadily and in the right direction.’

The banquet features a remarkable red, white and green design theme, complete with white table cloths at the Great Hall of the People.

Trump’s cabinet members are seen mingling at the dinner – including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Steven Miller, Scott Bessent, his communications lead Steven Cheung and powerful CEO’s across the technology sector like Tim Cook from Apple. 

Earlier, during their two-hour summit, Xi warned Trump that if Taiwan is ‘mishandled’, the US and China ‘will clash, or even come into conflict, pushing the entire relationship into a very dangerous situation,’ state media channel CCTV reported.

And as the pair took their seats opposite each other in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, Xi opened with a loaded reference to the so-called ‘Thucydides Trap.’

The phrase, coined by political scientist Graham Allison, refers to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides’ account of Athens and Sparta, and describes the danger of conflict when an established power feels threatened by a rising civilization.

‘The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the US overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm?’ Xi asked Trump across the table.

Trump, seemingly unfazed by Xi’s classical reference, was effusive in return and praised the pageantry of his welcome, calling it ‘an honor like few have ever seen before’, and singling out the ‘happy and beautiful’ children for special praise.

He told Xi: ‘It’s an honor to be with you, it’s an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.’ 

On their meeting, a White House official told The Daily Mail: ‘President Trump had a good meeting with President Xi of China. The two sides discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between our two countries, including expanding market access for American businesses into China and increasing Chinese investment into our industries.’

They continued: ‘Leaders from many of the United States’ largest companies joined a portion of the meeting. The Presidents also highlighted the need to build on progress in ending the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States, as well as increasing Chinese purchases of American agricultural products.’

The evening’s menu reflected a blend of traditional Chinese honors and a nod to American tastes. Guests were served a multi-course meal featuring Beijing Roast Duck and Crispy Beef Ribs, alongside Lobster in Tomato Soup and Slow-Cooked Salmon in Mustard Sauce. The dinner concluded with a selection of desserts, including a Trumpet Shell-Shaped Pastry, Tiramisu and Fruits and Ice Cream. 

Trump had been dazzled a day earlier by the full red-carpet treatment laid on by his Chinese host, lavished with imperial pomp rarely afforded a US leader as he was met by goose-stepping troops, thundering cannons and flag-waving children.

The White House further said that two sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy. 

President Xi also made clear China’s opposition to the militarization of the Strait and any effort to charge a toll for its use, and he expressed interest in purchasing more American oil to reduce China’s dependence on the Strait in the future. 

 Both countries also agreed that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

It is Trump’s first face-to-face with Xi since the Iran war erupted on February 28. 

The mood appeared upbeat as American business leaders were met by reporters as they left the Great Hall after the initial talks.

Tesla boss Elon Musk, Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and Apple’s Tim Cook were spotted filing down the steps toward their bus.

‘Wonderful,’ Musk declared. Asked what had been achieved, the world’s richest man replied: ‘Many good things.’

Cook flashed a peace sign followed by a thumbs up, while Huang told the press gaggle: ‘Meetings went well. Mr Xi and President Trump were incredible.’

The President’s motorcade swept into Tiananmen Square at 10.01am Thursday almost exactly on schedule, with Trump emerging moments later in his signature dark suit and red tie to a blaring military fanfare. 

He walked over to Xi, who was waiting by the steps, and the pair shook hands, with Trump affectionately patting the Chinese leader’s hand as they exchanged a few words.

Xi, accompanied by Trump, then worked the front row of the heavyweight US delegation lined up on the steps, including Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The two leaders then mounted a red and gold dais as a military band struck up the Star Spangled Banner and troops in full ceremonial dress marched past. 

Thundering cannon salutes boomed across Tiananmen Square round after round as Trump stood beside Xi, before the President broke into a broad smile as he saluted the troops.

A crowd of brightly dressed Chinese schoolchildren waved flowers and US and Chinese flags while chanting ‘welcome, welcome, welcome to China’. 

The pair finally swept into the Great Hall after around 20 minutes of pageantry, US cabinet secretaries, officials and American business executives filing in behind them.

The two leaders buckled down for a roughly two-hour bilateral behind closed doors. 

Trump plans to press Xi to lean on Iran to accept a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Xi is widely expected to push for tariff relief and access to American-designed AI chips.

The summit was originally slated for March but was postponed when the war broke out.

Trump and Xi, leading the world’s two largest economies, have plenty to hammer out over their two days together. 

Trump called on Xi to ‘open up’ his economy further to US businesses on Wednesday, with a 17-strong cohort of American CEOs flown in to the White House to act as economic negotiators and iron out roadblocks to further investment. 

The President arrived late Wednesday evening local time in the Chinese capital before heading to his hotel for rest.

Trump was greeted on the tarmac by a military band, roughly 300 students waving US and Chinese flags and the nation’s Vice President Han Zheng.

Tomorrow, before the President heads back to the US, he will participate in a bilateral tea and working lunch.