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US Tech Leaders Meet Chinese President Amid Trade Tensions

Free News Reader  ·  September 24, 2026

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US Tech Leaders Meet Chinese President Amid Trade Tensions

  • Elon Musk's Tesla generated $20.96 billion in revenue from China in 2025, representing approximately 22% of its global total.
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Apple executive chairman Tim Cook, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are among the US business leaders who were expected to dine with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, September 21, 2026.

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Prominent American tech executives, including Elon Musk of Tesla, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, and Tim Cook, Apple’s executive chairman, were anticipated to join Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner on Thursday, September 21, 2026. The gathering occurred during a visit that also included discussions between President Xi and US President Donald Trump, focusing on critical areas such as trade, rare earths, and artificial intelligence.

China holds significant economic importance for these US tech giants. Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, which began production in December 2019, has become a crucial manufacturing hub, producing over 4.5 million vehicles and accounting for more than 45% of Tesla’s total global output. In 2025, Tesla’s revenue from China reached nearly $21 billion.

For Nvidia, the situation in China is more complex due to US export controls on advanced AI chips. While Nvidia had previously developed less powerful H20 chips specifically for the Chinese market, new restrictions announced in June 2025 banned their sale, leading to a reported $2.5 billion revenue loss for Nvidia. Despite these challenges, reports from September 2026 indicate that some Nvidia AI chips continue to reach China through various channels.

Apple also has substantial interests in the Chinese market, with its Greater China region generating over $64 billion in revenue last year. Although Apple has experienced strong iPhone sales growth in China, including a 20% surge in the first quarter of 2026, the company is also working to diversify its supply chain outside the country. The presence of these executives at the dinner underscores the intricate relationship between US technology companies and the Chinese market, balancing significant business interests with evolving geopolitical dynamics.