Trump and Xi open summit talks amid Iran war and trade tensions
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have opened a summit session focused on easing tensions between the United States and China, with Iran, trade and wider global power competition among the issues on the agenda.
Trump praised China's leader and stressed their personal bond as the two sides sought to steady relations after recent friction.
The meeting is being framed as the opening session of a two-day summit.
The talks come as both governments face pressure over trade and the impact of the war involving Iran.
The summit is intended to test whether the two powers can stabilise ties at a time of broader strategic rivalry.
The meeting matters because relations between Washington and Beijing affect global markets, security calculations and diplomatic efforts well beyond the two countries.
Any sign of reduced tension would be closely watched by allies and rivals alike.
The row indicates that the summit is taking place against a backdrop of continuing disagreement, but it does not provide further detail on specific negotiating positions or any immediate outcomes.
It is also not clear from the available information whether the talks have produced any concrete commitments, or how long the leaders expect to spend on each issue.
