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While en route to Beijing, Trump said on social media he would “be asking President Xi, a Leader of extraordinary distinction, to ‘open up’ China so that these brilliant people can work their magic”.

Nvidia’s Huang was a surprise late addition to the trip, joining the plane at a stopover in Alaska. China is currently banned under US national security rules from buying the cutting-edge AI chips that the company produces.

But Iran, trade and Taiwan loom over the highly anticipated meeting, which Trump had already delayed from March because of the war the United States and Israel started in the Middle East.

Before Trump’s arrival, China yesterday issued a blunt warning to Washington, declaring that the “four red lines” in China-US relations must not be challenged.

In a strongly worded message posted on X, the Chinese Embassy in the United States said issues relating to Taiwan, democracy and human rights, political systems, and China’s development rights were non-negotiable and formed the core boundaries in bilateral ties ahead of Trump’s May 13-15 visit to China.

“The four red lines in China-US relations must not be challenged,” the embassy stated, while also calling for a “strategic, constructive and stable” relationship between the two global powers.

In a post on X, the Embassy listed them as ‘The Taiwan Question’, ‘Democracy and Human Rights’, ‘Paths and Political Systems’ and ‘China’s Development Right.’

Visiting China for the first time since 2017 during his previous term, Trump is expected to receive a lavish welcome from Chinese authorities.

Trump and Xi will hold talks at 10:00am (0200 GMT) today in Beijing’s opulent Great Hall of the People.

The US president will also visit the historic Temple of Heaven, a world heritage site where China’s emperors once prayed for good harvest.

The leaders will then enjoy a state banquet in the evening.

On Friday, they are set to have tea and a working lunch before Trump heads home.

As he departed the White House, Trump said he expected a “long talk” with Xi about the joint US-Israeli war with Iran, which sells most of its US-sanctioned oil to China.

But he also downplayed disagreements, telling reporters that “I don’t think we need any help with Iran” from China and that Xi had been “relatively good” on the topic.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Wednesday it “welcomes” Trump’s visit and that “China stands ready to work with the United States... to expand cooperation and manage differences”.

The long-simmering trade war between the two countries will also be top of the agenda, after Trump’s sweeping tariffs last year triggered tit-for-tat levies that exceeded 100 percent.

Trump and Xi are set to discuss extending a one-year tariff truce, which the two leaders reached during their last meeting in South Korea in October, although a deal is far from certain.

China’s controls on rare earth and agriculture exports are also expected to be on the menu.

Trump has repeatedly touted a strong personal relationship with Xi, which he insisted on Monday would prevent a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the self-ruled democracy claimed by Beijing.

While Trump said on Monday he would speak to Xi about US arms sales to Taiwan, the move marks a departure from historic US insistence that it will not consult Beijing on its support to the island.

His trip will be closely scrutinised by Taiwan and Asian allies for any sign of weakening US support.

Analysts say a successful outcome in the talks for Trump would likely need to be visible and easy to sell politically at home. That could include Chinese purchases of US goods, movement on tariffs, cooperation on Iran, or progress on rare earth exports.

For Xi, success would mean preserving stability without appearing to bow to Washington, while securing greater economic predictability and recognition of China as a global power.

A comprehensive trade deal seems unlikely because the structural sources of rivalry remain unresolved, said an analyst, adding that a limited agreement is more likely, potentially involving tariff pauses, purchase commitments, rare earth arrangements or a framework for future negotiations.