U.S. CEOs join Trump’s China trip as companies seek trade access and policy clarity

More than a dozen U.S. chief executives accompanied President Donald Trump on his May 14, 2026, trip to China, underscoring corporate interest in direct access to policymakers as Washington and Beijing navigate trade, investment and supply-chain tensions. The delegation is seeking clearer rules on market access, tariffs, export controls and regulatory treatment in China, a key revenue and manufacturing market for many U.S. multinationals. Such executive participation is common on presidential trips, giving companies a chance to advocate commercial priorities while signaling support for broader diplomatic engagement.