Trump Heads To Beijing & California Mayor Spies For China? | 5.13.26

President Trump is traveling to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping amid stalled Iran negotiations and broader foreign policy pressures, while domestic news highlights a California mayor's resignation over Chinese spying charges, White House personnel shifts, and softening public approval of Trump's economic handling tied to the Iran conflict.

Foreign Policy Priorities: China Trip and Iran Stalemate

Trump arrives in Beijing to discuss trade, AI, and Iran with Xi Jinping, whose country is a key Iranian ally providing economic support short of troops. The visit gained added focus after Iran's recent counterproposal in talks over its nuclear program and control of Romuz was rejected by the US as a "full surrender." Iran demanded lifted sanctions, release of frozen assets, and full control of Romuz, which Trump dismissed sharply, stating "we don't play games." This leaves negotiations in a tense holding pattern. Trump also plans to raise the case of Jimmy Lai, the imprisoned Hong Kong media figure critical of Beijing. Separately, Trump floated—possibly in jest—making Venezuela the 51st US state to access its oil reserves and lower gas prices; Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez quipped about a bidding war.