Speaking in the historic and ornate Great Hall of the People during his May 2026 trip to Beijing, President Donald Trump struck a conciliatory note by stating plainly, “The American and Chinese people share much in common.” His trip to China was rooted in shared cultural touchpoints, signaling a willingness to find diplomatic openings with his Chinese counterpart.

In just one day in China, Trump engaged on many of the strongest elements of U.S. cultural diplomacy. Trump referenced the number of Chinese restaurants in the United States, noting that there are more than the total number of McDonald’s. He cited the popularity of American blue jeans, which had played a role in US-Soviet relations decades earlier. Trump highlighted the role of Confucius in American thought, citing Benjamin Franklin’s publishing of the Sayings of Confucius and the philosopher’s inclusion in the carvings that adorn the U.S. Supreme Court. 

This form of diplomacy is tried and true, highlighting the cultural ties nations share to reveal where their interests may also align. Rather than repeat talking points on divisive issues, leaders look to find common ground, building rapport and conveying to both their foreign and domestic audiences that both countries are capable of cooperation. Trump has looked for opportunities to do just that, including by raising a shared love of basketball, which is now the most watched sport in China with almost a quarter of Chinese adults describing themselves as “avid” fans of the NBA in a Morning Consult poll.

The hosts were likewise eager to engage Trump with culture, both American and Chinese. The People’s Liberation Army played a rendition of The Village People’s “YMCA,” a favorite song of Trump. Xi hosted Trump at the Temple of Heaven, which was built in the 1400’s, highlighting the depth of Chinese history. The menu at the state dinner merged traditional Chinese dishes with ingredients and flavors that are common in the United States, representing the intersection of the two cultures.

These shared pieces of cuisine, sport, literature, fashion, and sport form a foundation for the discussions of complex and challenging issues like trade, Iran, and Taiwan. Acknowledging what the two countries share and what makes them unique provides important mutual recognition of the strengths of each, while showing respect by acknowledging the richness of the other’s culture.

But if Trump and Xi are to build on the shared points of interests from this summit, both would be wise to work to remove impediments of exchange. Unlike issues like trade and defense, which are often seen as zero-sum and challenging to find shared ground on, cultural exchange is an area where quick changes for mutual benefit are possible.

Trump has already indicated a willingness to allow Chinese students to return to American universities, but he should go further by easing the onerous visa process and make efforts to reassure prospective students that they will not face deportation or other capricious policies. His administration should also work with China to increase the number of flights between the countries, facilitating greater daily exchange.

Building on his invitation for Xi to attend a state dinner in Washington later this year, Trump should invite Xi to an exhibition NBA game as part of the trip. While the trip is not yet confirmed, Trump invited Xi to visit the White House in September, a month before the NBA season starts. This offers a useful opportunity to organize a game featuring players popular in China, helping highlight a shared sport between the two countries and assisting the NBA in further building its ties with China.

The White House could also emulate China’s canny combination of American and Chinese culinary traditions at the Beijing summit and have a menu for the Washington state dinner that includes reference to Chinese American staples. It could include a public exhibition of Chinese American food cooked by some of the top chefs from each country and served in the nation’s capital.

While cultural diplomacy cannot be used to “solve” the deep issues in the US-China relationship, it is a tool that has already proven capable in facilitating respectful and productive meetings between the leadership of the two powers. Additional exchange that deepens these shared experiences will help to further stabilize the relationship between the United States and China, which is so desperately needed to address the most pressing global issues of our time.