On Friday, Donald Trump departed China, leaving a lasting impression with his iconic gesture: raising his right fist triumphantly toward the sky. As he ascended the steps of Air Force One at Beijing Capital International Airport, the U.S. president offered his signature wave one final time before embarking on his journey back to Washington, concluding a state visit that included a landmark summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Prior to his departure, a brief ceremonial protocol unfolded on the airport tarmac. The official White House account described the farewell as the conclusion of "a historic summit," while Trump's communication team shared images capturing the moment he, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, raised his fist atop the presidential aircraft's stairs.
The raised fist has become one of Donald Trump's most recognizable public gestures, especially gaining symbolic weight on July 13, 2024, when he performed it just moments after surviving an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. With blood on his face and under the Secret Service's protection, Trump lifted his fist to the crowd, creating an iconic image of his campaign. Since that moment, he has consistently repeated the gesture at numerous public events, including arrivals and departures involving Air Force One.
The Trump-Xi summit spanned May 13-15 and marked the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to China in nearly nine years, as well as Trump's first since November 2017. The main day of the visit, held on Wednesday, featured a 21-gun salute welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, a bilateral meeting lasting approximately two hours, and a state banquet hosted by Xi.
Trump also toured the Temple of Heaven, becoming only the second U.S. president to do so, following Gerald Ford's visit in 1975. He was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had previously faced sanctions from China, along with a delegation of about 30 top executives from major American companies.
Upon leaving, Trump announced the sealing of "fantastic trade deals," highlighting China's commitment to purchasing 200 Boeing aircraft. Regarding Iran, he noted that both leaders agreed the conflict should cease and that Tehran must not acquire nuclear weapons.
The summit aimed to solidify the trade truce established in Busan, South Korea, in October 2025, which had paused tariffs that had soared to 145% from Washington and 125% from Beijing. However, Wall Street analysts pointed out the lack of concrete outcomes from the meeting, while Beijing referred to "a series of new common understandings" without detailing them.
During the meeting, Trump formally invited Xi Jinping to visit the United States. On Truth Social, the president had expressed his hope for the bilateral relationship to become "stronger and better than ever," thus closing a visit he described as "probably the greatest summit in history."
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's Visit to China
What was the outcome of Trump's visit to China in terms of trade deals?
Trump announced securing "fantastic trade deals," including China's commitment to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft.
Did Trump's visit to China result in any new agreements on international conflicts?
During the visit, Trump and Xi agreed that the conflict in Iran should end and that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
How did the symbolic gesture of raising a fist become significant for Trump?
The raised fist became a powerful symbol for Trump after he performed it following an assassination attempt in 2024, symbolizing resilience and defiance.