Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled back the curtain on private discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.
Beijing cleared the way for Rubio to touch down on Chinese soil this week, despite having the Secretary of State under strict sanctions for nearly six years.
Rubio, a long-time China hawk who was blacklisted by the Communist regime in 2020 for his scathing criticism of the regime’s human rights record, was widely expected to be a ‘persona non grata’ during President Trump’s visit.
However, Chinese officials signaled that the standing sanctions would not bar Rubio from the visit, offering a technical loophole to avoid a diplomatic disaster. They indicated that the restrictions were tied to Rubio’s previous actions as a US Senator, rather than his current role as the nation’s top diplomat.
Trump and Xi’s first day began with an elaborate welcome ceremony featuring a red carpet, military honor guards, a marching band playing and hundreds of schoolchildren waving American and Chinese flags.
The leaders then retreated into the Great Hall of the People for their first formal round of bilateral meetings lasting around two hours where they discussed things ranging from the war in the Middle East to trade to Taiwan.
The status of Taiwan is a perennial flashpoint in the two nations’ relationship.
During the closed-door talks, Xi issued a formal warning to Trump, stating that ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan have the potential to jeopardize the entire US-China relationship.
When asked what the administration’s stance is currently on Taiwan and what was discussed, Rubio kept the answer safe.
‘Our policies on that have not changed,’ Rubio told NBC News. ‘It’s been pretty consistent across multiple presidential administrations, and remains consistent now.’
Xi has consistently pledged to bring Taiwan under Chinese control, leaving military action on the table. But Rubio warned that any attempt to do so by force would be a ‘terrible mistake.’
‘There would be repercussions for that, globally, not just in the United States,’ he said. ‘And we kind of leave it there.’
Trump described talks as ‘extremely positive’ even inviting Xi to the US later this year.
Rubio confirmed in an interview with NBC News that while the two leaders addressed the looming Iran crisis while meeting, the US is ultimately not looking for a helping hand from the Communist regime.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled back the curtain on private discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump , speaking to NBC News in an interview on Thursday
Chinese officials signaled that the standing sanctions would not bar Rubio from the trip, offering a technical loophole to avoid a diplomatic disaster
Rubio, a long-time hawk who was blacklisted by the Communist regime in 2020 for his scathing criticism of China’s human rights record, was widely expected to be a ‘persona non grata’ during President Trump’s visit
Trump is greeted by China’s Vice President Han Zheng as he arrives on Air Force One, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, as Eric and Lara Trump, Elon Musk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, follow
Rubio looks on as US President Donald Trump meets with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People
Their discussion largely focused on the ongoing war with Iran.
‘The Chinese side said they are not in favor of militarizing the Straits of Hormuz, and they’re not in favor of a tolling system, and that’s our position,’ Rubio told the reporter after Trump and Xi held over two hours’ worth of talks.
The President was expected to use his summit with Xi to look for a breakthrough with the Iran war.
Right now, the stakes couldn’t be higher: Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz has effectively paralyzed global energy shipping, sending gas prices into a vertical climb and hitting families hard at the pump.
Trump gave China credit – saying they helped convince Iran to negotiate with the US for a ceasefire last month.
‘We are not immune to global oil prices at some point, because we do buy from the global market, but other countries around the world are paying a much higher price,’ Rubio said. ‘They’ve got to get involved in this as well.’
Rubio emphasized that ‘Trump didn’t ask him for anything,’ referencing Xi.
‘We’re not asking for China’s help. We don’t need their help,’ said Rubio.
The President’s trip to China was postposted by six weeks – due to the involvement in the Iran war. China has hit back on the US and Israeli strikes that started late February and requested a solution that would end the military offensive.
There was, however, an area of positive overlap in the war. Rubio said that the two leaders strongly agreed that Iran should never develop a nuclear weapon.
A Chinese government report on the meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping omitted any direct reference to Iran.
According to the state-run news agency Xinhua, the official readout noted only that the leaders ‘exchanged views on major international and regional issues including the Middle East situation.’
Do you think Trump’s approach to China is reducing tensions – or raising the stakes?
Trump looks on next to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Jensen Huang, Founder, President and CEO of Nvidia, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook and others, during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People
Xi said in his speech that both countries can ‘help each other succeed’ and ‘advance the well-being of the whole world’
President Donald Trump participates in a welcome ceremony with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Beijing
China’s President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth seen laughing while seated at the state banquet for US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People
There were also other priorities on the President’s mind, Rubio explained.
Jimmy Lai, an outspoken critic of the Communist Party, has been identified by China as the ‘mastermind’ behind the pro-democracy protests that occurred in Hong Kong throughout 2019.
During his interview with NBC News, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the President advocated for Lai’s release during the summit.
‘The President always raises that case and a couple others, and obviously we’ll hope to get a positive response from that,’ Rubio said.
When asked if the US would provide a home for Lai if he were freed by Chinese officials, Rubio did not offer a direct answer but expressed flexibility regarding the terms of his release.
‘We’d be open to any arrangement that would work for them, as long as he’s given his freedom,’ Rubio said.
