• Former President Donald Trump has accepted a formal state invitation to visit China early next year, with President Xi Jinping tentatively planning a US visit in 2026.
  • The high-profile diplomatic exchanges are tied to significant progress in ongoing trade negotiations, covering TikTok, critical minerals, and fentanyl.
  • A potential framework agreement could ease recent tariff escalations and boost Chinese purchases of US goods, including Boeing aircraft.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate trade tensions between the US and China are accelerating, with plans for a major state visit by former President Donald Trump to China early next year. The invitation was extended by President Xi Jinping, according to people familiar with the matter, and planning is at an advanced stage, potentially timed around the APEC summit in South Korea late next year.

In a reciprocal move, Xi is tentatively scheduled to visit the United States in 2026, the people said, marking a significant thaw in relations that have been strained by recent tariff increases and technological competition. These diplomatic maneuvers are not merely ceremonial; they are underpinned by what officials have described as "significant progress" in complex trade negotiations.

The talks have centered on a handful of key deliverables, including the fate of TikTok’s US operations. Trump has delayed a forced divestment or ban of the social media platform, seeking a negotiated resolution that would involve US investors taking a significant stake in the company. Other critical items on the table include China’s exports of fentanyl precursors, access to Chinese supplies of critical minerals, and a commitment for China to increase purchases of American goods, notably Boeing aircraft.

This progress suggests a potential detente following the recent imposition of tariffs. The US had levied temporary 30% duties on a range of Chinese imports, met with retaliatory 10% tariffs from Beijing on American goods. A deal could temporarily stabilize global supply chains and offer relief to targeted US industries, from agriculture to manufacturing.

Spokespeople for the former president’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A person close to the negotiations characterized the call between Trump and Xi as “constructive,” adding that both leaders see a political advantage in showcasing a diplomatic victory to their domestic audiences.

The prospective visits and the emerging trade framework represent a strategic reset after a period of intense rivalry. For Trump, a deal would fulfill a key campaign promise to negotiate favorable terms with China. For Xi, it projects an image of China as a respected global leader engaging with the US from a position of strength. However, experts remain divided on whether any agreement can address the underlying structural tensions in technology, security, and global alliances long-term.