Trump Adds Nvidia's Huang to 17-CEO China Delegation as Musk and Cook Join Xi Summit
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 11
Trump Adds Nvidia's Huang to 17-CEO China Delegation as Musk and Cook Join Xi Summit
11 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 11
Jensen Huang boarded Air Force One late Tuesday after Trump personally invited the Nvidia chief that morning, reversing his omission from the original China delegation list.
The expanded group now includes 17 CEOs traveling with Trump to Beijing, among them Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Larry Fink and David Solomon, while Cisco's Chuck Robbins could not attend.
Huang's addition sharpens the trip's technology focus because Nvidia sits at the center of the AI chip race and its CEO has spent nearly a year lobbying Washington and Beijing to allow more chip sales to China.
Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping later this week and wants to discuss creating a board of investment and a board of trade with China, using a cross-industry business contingent to support that push.
Musk's presence also signals his renewed ties with Trump after last year's falling out, underscoring how the Beijing trip blends trade diplomacy with high-profile corporate politics.
Can Trump's summit unlock China's AI chip market for Nvidia without compromising long-term U.S. national security?
Will U.S. economic goals force a compromise on security commitments to Taiwan amidst the ongoing global oil crisis?
Are the proposed trade boards a path to U.S.-China stability or a victory for Beijing's managed economic model?
U.S.-China 2026 Summit: Tech Titans, AI Chip Diplomacy, and Global Market Stakes
Overview
The summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, held from May 13-15, 2026, marks a crucial moment for global commerce and international relations. President Trump arrived in China with a high-profile business delegation, including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, highlighting the deep economic ties between the U.S. and China. Despite rising geopolitical tensions, companies like Tesla and Apple remain closely linked to China through major manufacturing and supply operations. This gathering underscores the importance of economic interdependence and sets the stage for critical discussions on trade and technology.