BEIJING: Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump with a handshake on Thursday in Beijing for a superpower summit on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. Xi greeted Trump at the opulent Great Hall of the People at just past 10:00 am (0200 GMT), a grand reception that belies the deep tensions between the world’s biggest economies. As the start of their meeting, Trump told Xi Jinping on Thursday that the two superpowers would have a “fantastic future together.” “It’s an honor to be with you.

Taiwan, tariffs and the strait of Hormuz are on the meeting’s agenda for Beijing – but will the US president be forced to ask for help in ending his war with Iran?

China experts expect Trump and Xi may announce trade deals or other agreements, such as a Chinese purchase of U.S. agricultural products or Boeing aircraft.