Elon Musk has today been observed making a series of unusual facial expressions during a photo opportunity with Apple CEO Tim Cook at a state banquet in China. Musk and Cook are among the numerous top business leaders accompanying Donald Trump on his visit to Beijing this week. The US president is in the Chinese capital to strengthen bilateral relations with President Xi Jinping.
Musk's Lighthearted Antics
Despite the gravity of the diplomatic meeting, tech billionaire Musk attempted to inject some levity into the state banquet dinner. He was seated at a table, with Apple's leader Tim Cook standing just behind him. The pair posed for a photograph alongside a third, unidentified man. While Cook smiled amiably at the camera, Musk pulled a series of quirky faces. He was also seen grinning broadly while giving two thumbs up. However, Musk's cheerfulness was not mirrored by Cook, who dropped his smile as soon as he began walking away from the photo-op.
Musk's Son in Attendance
Earlier, Musk was spotted hand-in-hand with his son X Æ A-12, having brought him to an important meeting with China's leadership. The boy, born to Musk and his then-wife Grimes in 2020, wore a blue vest over a white shirt, seemingly inspired by Chinese culture. He also carried a bag shaped like a Chinese dragon mask. The pair were seen walking through the Great Hall of the People, a government building.
US-China Summit
Musk's antics coincide with a crucial series of meetings between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Beijing. The two-day summit aims to stabilize US-China relations. The White House and Chinese state media confirmed that the leaders concluded their meeting on Thursday morning after approximately two hours. Trump is expected to depart just after midday Friday following a final private meeting with Xi. However, few breakthroughs are anticipated on divisive issues such as the Iran war, trade, technology, and Taiwan.
Trade and Taiwan Discussions
Trump hopes to focus the summit talks on trade, including deals for China to purchase more agricultural products and passenger planes, and to establish a board to address differences and avoid a repeat of the trade war ignited last year after Trump's tariff hikes. In their closed-door meeting, Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is handled well, US-China relations will enjoy overall stability. If not, the two countries risk clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy, according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.
Trump in December authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory. The US has not yet moved forward with delivery. Xi said China's door of opening to US business will only open wider, as he told American corporate leaders accompanying Trump. The US president said the business leaders all respect and value China and encouraged them to expand cooperation with China, Xinhua reported.
Iran War as Key Topic
The war with Iran is also likely to be a key topic. Ahead of the meetings, Trump hoped China would use its considerable leverage to prod Iran to agree to US terms to end the two-month-old war or reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz, but he has tempered those calls ahead of the summit.
