Story perspectives

Tech CEOs Join Trump in Beijing, Reveal $3.2B Fiber-optic Investment

5/8/2026

Summary

Huang Meets Trump

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will join President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14-15.
The delegation also includes Apple CEO Tim Cook, Qualcomm head Cristiano Amon and JPMorgan chief Jane Fraser.
Nvidia holds zero share of China’s AI GPU market after October 2022 export bans.
Nvidia prepaid billions to Corning for fiber-optic factories that will boost U.S. glass output tenfold and create thousands of jobs, alongside a $3.2 billion equity option.

Summary

Trump Urges China

U.S. President Donald Trump will urge China to expand purchases of soybeans, oil and gas at the May 14-15, 2026 summit.
The administration will leverage tariff cuts to press Beijing to lift export controls on critical minerals such as rare earths.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg says a deal for up to 500 Boeing 737 MAX jets would likely need Trump’s support.

Summary

Cook Steps Down

Tim Cook will step down as Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, with hardware chief John Ternus as successor.
As executive chairman, Cook will act as a political liaison and engage policymakers worldwide.
Cook gave $1 million to President Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugural fund and received a plaque marking Apple’s $600 billion investment pledge.
President Donald Trump’s China trip will invite Cook among CEOs, showing his role in avoiding tariffs and a U.S. iPhone-production mandate.

History

Historical Context

After President Trump signed the 2018 NDAA barring Huawei equipment from U.S. government use, the Commerce Department added 70 Huawei affiliates to the Entity List in May 2019, halting U.S. chip sales. That precedent frames the 2026 Trump-China summit, where CEOs Jensen Huang, Tim Cook and Cristiano Amon will negotiate AI-GPU access and mineral tariffs, shaping future trade rules.

1 of 4

Huang Meets Trump

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will join President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14-15.
The delegation also includes Apple CEO Tim Cook, Qualcomm head Cristiano Amon and JPMorgan chief Jane Fraser.
Nvidia holds zero share of China’s AI GPU market after October 2022 export bans.
Nvidia prepaid billions to Corning for fiber-optic factories that will boost U.S. glass output tenfold and create thousands of jobs, alongside a $3.2 billion equity option.

1 / 4