A high-profile delegation of America's most influential corporate executives is accompanying former President Donald Trump on a significant trip to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. The agenda for these critical talks is expected to cover pressing issues including trade relations, advancements in artificial intelligence, and discussions surrounding Iran.
The presence of such a powerful contingent of business leaders underscores the strategic importance of the visit, aiming to navigate complex economic and geopolitical landscapes between the two global powers.
Elon Musk: A High-Profile Participant
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is among the most closely watched members of the delegation. His participation follows a publicly tumultuous period with Trump last summer, marked by unsubstantiated claims and subsequent regrets expressed by Musk. Despite past tensions, Tesla maintains a substantial operational footprint in China, a key market for the electric vehicle giant. Musk is also currently managing legal pressures in France concerning content on X and is embroiled in a trial against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Tim Cook's Farewell Tour and Apple's China Strategy
Apple CEO Tim Cook's inclusion in the delegation comes as his long tenure at the helm draws to a close; he is set to step down on September 1, 2026, transitioning to an executive chairman role. China has been pivotal to Cook's leadership, from managing Apple's extensive manufacturing ties within the country to navigating two rounds of Trump-era trade wars. His strategic moves, including securing iPhone exemptions and later shifting US-bound iPhone production to India while pledging significant US investment, have become a case study in corporate diplomacy.
Boeing's Kelly Ortberg Navigates Trade Headwinds
Robert "Kelly" Ortberg, who took over as Boeing CEO in 2024, is focused on stabilizing the aerospace giant amidst ongoing legal, regulatory, and production challenges. China's retaliatory 125% tariff on American goods, imposed in April 2025, had previously posed a significant threat to Boeing's passenger jet sales. However, the company has gradually reduced its dependence on Chinese deliveries, somewhat easing this pressure. Boeing is currently engaged in talks with China regarding a potential large aircraft sale.
The Full Business Delegation
Beyond these prominent figures, a White House official confirmed a wide-ranging list of executives joining the trip:
- Jensen Huang — President and CEO, Nvidia
- Larry Fink — Chairman and CEO, BlackRock
- Stephen Schwarzman — Chairman, CEO and Co-founder, Blackstone
- Brian Sikes — Chairman and CEO, Cargill
- Jane Fraser — Chairman and CEO, Citi
- Jim Anderson — CEO, Coherent
- H. Lawrence Culp — Chairman and CEO, GE Aerospace
- David Solomon — Chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs
- Jacob Thaysen — CEO, Illumina
- Michael Miebach — CEO, Mastercard
- Dina Powell McCormick — President and Vice Chairman, Meta
- Sanjay Mehrotra — Chairman, President and CEO, Micron
- Cristiano Amon — President and CEO, Qualcomm
- Ryan McInerney — CEO, Visa
This comprehensive delegation highlights the multifaceted nature of US-China relations, where high-stakes business interests are deeply intertwined with diplomatic efforts.