In a moment observed by Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended a handshake to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, senior advisor Stephen Miller, and other senior members of the U.S. administration on Thursday. This exchange was captured on video and widely shared on social media platforms.
This formal greeting occurred during President Trump's state visit to China, spanning from May 13 to May 15, 2026. It's noteworthy as the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to China in nearly nine years, the last being Trump's own visit in November 2017 during his initial term.
Political commentator Eric Daugherty shared the video on X, highlighting Hegseth's demeanor as "completely composed" when facing Xi, interpreting it as a demonstration of resolve against what he termed an "adversary."
Pete Hegseth, who also holds the secondary title of "Secretary of War," following Executive Order 200 signed by Trump on September 14, 2025, which symbolically renamed the Department of Defense, is the first U.S. Defense Secretary to accompany a president on a state visit to China since Richard Nixon's historic trip in 1972.
The case of Marco Rubio carried unique diplomatic significance. China had sanctioned him twice in 2021—initially over the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, and later for his comments on the "cultural genocide" of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. To facilitate his entry despite ongoing sanctions, Beijing executed an unprecedented diplomatic maneuver by altering the official Mandarin transliteration of his surname.
The U.S. delegation in Beijing also included Eric Trump, Elon Musk, Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang, Apple's Tim Cook, and Ambassador David Perdue.
The bilateral meeting between Trump and Xi lasted roughly two hours and 15 minutes, focusing on trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and Iran. Xi urged Trump to act as a "partner, not an adversary," while Trump expressed optimism, stating that the relationship between the two nations "is going to be better than ever."
The day's events featured a 21-gun salute, hundreds of children with flowers and flags, a visit to the Temple of Heaven, and a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People.
During the summit, Xi Jinping warned of a "highly dangerous" situation if the issue of Taiwan is mishandled, marking one of the encounter's most tense moments.
As a gesture of reciprocation, Trump formally invited Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan to visit the White House on September 24, 2026.
Key Highlights of the Trump-Xi Meeting in China
What was the purpose of Trump's visit to China?
The visit aimed to discuss trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and Iran, signifying a major diplomatic engagement between the United States and China.
Why was Marco Rubio's handshake with Xi Jinping significant?
The interaction was notable due to Rubio's past sanctions by China over his criticisms of human rights issues, requiring Beijing to conduct a unique diplomatic gesture to permit his entry.
How did Xi Jinping address the issue of Taiwan during the summit?
Xi Jinping warned of an "extremely dangerous" scenario if the Taiwan issue is not handled properly, underlining the sensitivity of the topic in Sino-American relations.