Photos from Donald Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People sparked global backlash after observers noted an all-male lineup at the formal negotiating table. Critics say the absence of women from both US and Chinese delegations sends a troubling signal about who gets a voice in high-stakes power politics. Harvard economist Gita Gopinath called it an “end of meritocracy,” while Stanford’s Halima Kazem argued leaders chose a “masculine, militarized” diplomatic image despite available qualified women.
Democrats are accusing US President Donald Trump of corruption after documents disclosed major stock transactions conducted in his name, including millions worth of Nvidia shares tied to advanced AI chips. Senator Elizabeth Warren says the timing is troubling, especially amid allegations Trump lobbied China’s Xi Jinping during a trip that included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Eric Trump denies wrongdoing, saying the family’s assets sit in a blind trust. The disclosed deals total over $200 million and name companies such as Amazon and Apple.
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The Pentagon has canceled a planned temporary deployment of 4,000 U.S.-based troops to Poland, two officials told Reuters, adding new uncertainty to President Donald Trump’s anticipated troop cuts in Europe. The decision arrives only weeks after the Pentagon said it would withdraw 5,000 troops from NATO ally Germany. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he received assurances that security and deterrence would not be affected, with U.S. officials framing it as logistics for a larger Germany drawdown.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s Beijing visit drew extra buzz with Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joining talks on Iran, trade, and AI. The reunion spotlighted their decade-long friendship, reignited when Musk reposted photos from 2016 and 2026 and endorsed a quote about true friends with a one-word reply. Huang’s AI legacy adds weight: in 2016 he personally delivered Nvidia’s first AI-focused supercomputer to OpenAI, built over five years, signaling a partnership that shaped today’s AI push.
New ethics filings for the first quarter of 2026 reveal Donald Trump made a high-volume trading spree spanning technology, aerospace, banking and consumer names. Purchases highlighted AI leaders including NVIDIA and Microsoft, alongside other tech players, while Boeing emerged as a major theme around renewed U.S.-China trade negotiations. The disclosures show transaction totals ranging from $220 million to $750 million across thousands of trades, sparking renewed debate over transparency and potential conflicts.
Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi Jinping was formally cordial but practically volatile, with clashes behind tightly controlled venues involving the U.S. Secret Service, Chinese security and journalists. The most serious incident came when a Secret Service agent was allegedly blocked by Chinese police from entering the Temple of Heaven while carrying a firearm, triggering a tense nearly-30-minute standoff. Meanwhile, U.S. reporters reported restricted movement, confiscations and delays, and said a White House aide was knocked down during a journalist surge.
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Day 1 of the Trump-Xi summit played out as much in the margins as on the main stage. Trump arrived expecting a “big, fat hug,” but was met with a firm, 10-plus second handshake and arm pats. Xi framed US-China ties as a way to escape the “Thucydides Trap,” urging a “jointly written” new model. Meanwhile, tensions flared between US media and Chinese security, delaying press access. Temple of Heaven visits and Taiwan remarks also fed Chinese social media memes—along with huge online buzz around Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Elon Musk.
Oil prices surged more than $4 a barrel on May 11 after the US and Iran failed to agree on a Washington-backed peace proposal. With the Strait of Hormuz largely shut, global supplies stayed pressured as President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response as “unacceptable.” Brent climbed to $105.47 and WTI to $98.51. Analysts warn the ceasefire could be temporary, while Saudi Aramco estimates about 1 billion barrels of supply have been lost in two months, leaving markets edgy heading into Trump’s China trip.
The Pentagon has begun releasing UFO or UAP records on a new website, reigniting debate over unidentified “anomalous phenomena.” President Donald Trump has amplified the topic, framing the materials as something the public can interpret for itself. The trove includes decades-old State Department cables, FBI interviews, NASA transcripts and photos, plus more than 20 sensor videos from places including Syria, Japan, Iraq and North America. The Pentagon says many cases remain unresolved, with experts urging caution over misinterpretation.
Fresh US-China trade negotiations began in Seoul at Incheon International Airport, just hours before President Donald Trump lands in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping. Led by Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the meeting comes as the parties prepare to review tariff and export-control tensions, including a critical minerals-related suspension expected to expire in November. The agenda also reportedly covers US soybeans and beef, plus aircraft export controls—while the third-month US-Israeli war on Iran and its shipping and price impacts loom large.
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Footage from Beijing has gone viral after a Chinese military officer was filmed standing perfectly motionless as US President Donald Trump’s Air Force One taxied just yards away. Some social media users praised his “next-level focus” and called it peak professionalism. Others questioned whether the proximity to jet blast and noise could be dangerous, even suggesting he might be pulled toward the engines. The video’s apparent closeness also drew counterclaims that telephoto lens compression may be exaggerating distance. The moment unfolded during Trump’s high-stakes talks with Xi.
A delegation of more than a dozen U.S. CEOs will join President Donald Trump on his May 14-15 summit with China’s Xi Jinping, but this time the visit is built around “tangible asks” rather than big trade announcements. Companies including Tesla, Meta, Mastercard, Visa, BlackRock, Illumina and others are seeking regulatory approvals, market access and investment openings amid tougher scrutiny of U.S. tech, shifting export controls and political tension. Officials say the summit is meant to unlock stalled conversations.
Reports claim Donald Trump left JD Vance a sealed “If I Die” letter ahead of a China trip, with a counterterrorism official describing it as written instructions for the vice president in case the president dies in office. The letter is said to be stored in the Resolute Desk, reflecting heightened security protocols amid ongoing assassination threats during international travel.
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a “good meeting” in Washington focused on expanding market access for American businesses in China and encouraging Chinese investment in US industries. They also addressed global security, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to keep energy flowing freely, as discussions touched Iran-related concerns and regional stability.
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Markets are watching a high-stakes Trump Xi meeting for signs of stability as geopolitical tensions mount. Market strategist Shaun Rein says trade and AI will matter, but the West Asia crisis could dominate talks—partly because the US may rely on China’s diplomatic leverage. The outcome could influence global risk sentiment well beyond the summit.
Oil prices rose slightly as investors waited for a Trump-Xi delegation-level meeting in Beijing, with traders tracking escalation risks from the Iran war. Brent and WTI edged higher. Gold climbed alongside a weaker dollar, while U.S. inflation pressures and Middle East uncertainty supported demand—pushing Indian gold discounts to a record.
Gold ticked up as the dollar weakened, with traders focused on looming Trump and Xi Jinping talks. At the same time, U.S. producer prices jumped, pointing to faster-moving inflation. In India, gold discounts widened to a record high despite weak demand, highlighting a split between global cues and local buying sentiment.
Xi Jinping hosts Donald Trump in Beijing as China projects economic strength powered by exports tied to AI infrastructure. Yet the editorial warns that global energy disruptions could derail future momentum. China runs a wide trade surplus but relies less on domestic consumption, while the US struggles with inflation linked to its trade deficit. Talks also point to progress on US farm exports.
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A key US China summit begins in Beijing, putting two sharply different leadership styles into the same room. Donald Trump’s impulsive approach faces Xi Jinping’s meticulous planning, while both sides manage the tightrope of rising mistrust. With America’s global standing increasingly questioned, the talks could shape how quickly tensions either cool—or spiral.
Russia launched at least 800 drones at Ukraine, killing six people, as President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack despite Moscow’s recent peace overtures. He said the bombardment unfolded during US President Donald Trump’s visit to China and argued the timing appeared intentional, targeting Ukraine on Wednesday with a massive aerial assault.
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