AS IT HAPPENED: Trump, Xi meet in Beijing; Xi's ominous warning over 'most important' issue in US-China relations; Iran 'frighteningly close' to having nuclear weapons; Iran negotiations on the table

We are wrapping up today's coverage of global events, which have centred on US President Donald Trump's arrival in Beijing for high-level talks opposite his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Among the biggest talking points was the US president's entourage, namely the world's richest man Elon Musk, the boss of the world's most valuable tech company (Nvidia) Jensen Huang, and a man whose products are restricted in mainland China, Tim Cook (Apple).

There have also been major updates in the Iran war, with warnings the regime there is revamping its military strategy in the wake of US attacks.

We'll be back to cover day two of Trump's summit in China tomorrow.

The high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has ended, Chinese state media Xinhua reported.

The talks lasted slightly under two hours.

Trade delegations from both the US and China met and had positive discussions, said Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to Chinese state media Xinhua.

"Time and again, it has been proven that there are no winners in a trade war," Xi said, according to Xinhua. "The essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. In the face of differences and frictions, equal consultation is the only correct choice.

"Yesterday, the economic and trade teams of both sides reached an overall balanced and positive outcome, which is good news for the people of both countries and for the world," he added.

US and Chinese trade envoys met in South Korea on Wednesday, hours before Trump landed in Beijing.

Tariffs are expected to be a major topic in the talks, with the two countries still in a temporary truce after last year's blistering tit-for-tat tariffs.

During the ongoing talks, Chinese leader Xi Jinping raised the sensitive topic of Taiwan with US President Donald Trump, according to Chinese state media agency Xinhua.

Xi emphasised that "the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations.

"If it is handled properly, relations between the two countries can maintain overall stability. If it is not handled properly, the two countries may clash or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a very dangerous situation," Xi said, Xinhua reported.

Some of the highest-profile American CEOs traveling with President Donald Trump to Beijing were seen leaving the front entrance of the Great Hall of the People as the two leaders began their summit, describing the morning as positive and productive so far.

When asked by reporters how meetings had gone, Elon Musk — the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX — said, "Wonderful."

Asked what had been achieved, he said, "Many good things."

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who is set to step down from the role later this year, gave a peace sign, then a thumbs up.

"Meetings went well," said Jensen Huang, leader of tech giant Nvidia, as the CEOs walked down the steps to their waiting bus. "Mr. Xi and President Trump were incredible."

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are now meeting behind closed doors in Beijing.

There are a lot of things set to be on the table, including AI and broader technology investment, the Middle East conflict, and the situation surrounding Taiwan.

There is one issue that may fly under the radar, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio made sure to point it out: fentanyl.

Rubio says the production of fentanyl precursors, chemicals used to create the synthetic opioid, is one of "unique areas of cooperation" for China and the U.S.Rubio spoke with FOX News Channel on Air Force One as Trump's entourage flew to Beijing.

Trump has made curbing fentanyl use one of the priorities of his second term.

In February 2025, he slapped 10 per cent duties on China imports over fentanyl; he later raised the duties and lowered them again in November 2025, when Beijing agreed to tighten controls on 13 fentanyl precursor chemicals.

The duties were eventually shot down by the US Supreme Court.

Reported with Associated Press

While both US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart were fairly chummy in their opening remarks, the latter has shifted tack now that the pair have gotten down to business.

"Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both," Xi said. "The two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve success together and pursue common prosperity, and chart a correct path for major-country relations in the new era," he said.

As mentioned before, several US tech leaders, including Elon Musk, have made the trip with US President Donald Trump to Beijing.

They were snapped looking sharp in suits as they left the welcoming ceremony with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Donald Trump is set to visit the Temple of Heaven, an important Chinese symbolic site.

Built in the 15th century, the Temple of Heaven was a site where emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped Heaven and prayed for bountiful harvests. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.

Located south of the Forbidden City in Beijing, the site's design reflects the ancient Chinese belief that heaven is round and the earth is square. The main building there is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, an iconic, blue-tiled building known for its circular design and triple-eaved roof.

According to UNESCO's website, it is not only the most complete imperial sacrificial building complex in China but also the world's biggest building complex for offering sacrifice to heaven.

President Donald Trump said the group of top business leaders he brought along with him to China, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Apple CEO Tim Cook, are here to "pay respects" and build business in the nation.

"We have amazing people, and they're all with me," Trump said during opening remarks.

"We asked the top 30 in the world. Every single one of them said yes, and I didn't want the second or the third in the company. I wanted only the top. And they're here today to pay respects to you and to China, and they look forward to trade and doing business, and it's going to be totally reciprocal on our behalf," he added.