Elon Musk gained sudden popularity on Chinese socal media during a state visit by Donald Trump to Beijing. The 54-year-old billionaire was seen taking a 360-degree photo at the Great Hall of the People while other US executives remained formal.

A 360-degree spin at the Great Hall of the People

During a high-profile photo-op in Beijing on Thursday, Elon Musk stood out from a crowd of American business leaders by slowly spinning in a circle with his smartphone. As reported by the source, Musk appeared to be capturing a 360-degree panoramic shot of the Great Hall of the People,a moment that quickly went viral across Chinese social media platforms. Users praised the tech mogul's enthusiasm, with some noting that his carefree demeanor contrasted sharply with the gravity of the diplomatic proceedings.

This viral moment occurred just as President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump began a series of critical meetings aimed at stabilizing the volatile relationship between the two superpowers. While the business delegation was intended to project unity and a desire for cooperation, Musk's behavior highlighted his unique brand of public engagement, even in the midst of a formal state visit.

Tim Cook and Jensen Huang join the mission to woo Beijing

Elon Musk was not the only corporate titan in attendance; he was part of a delegation of over a dozen top US executives accompanying Donald Trump to China. This group included high-profile figures such as Apple's Tim Cook, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and BlackRock's Larry Fink. Representatives from other major corporations, including Meta, Visa, JP Morgan, Boeing, and Cargill, also joined the trip to maintain ties with the Chinese market.

The presence of these executives underscores a broader trend of American corporate interests attempting to hedge against geopolitical rivalry . By accompanying the US president, these leaders are attempting to "woo" China to protect spuply chains and market access, even as the US government maintains a competitive and often adversarial stance toward Beijing's technological and economic rise.

The $11 billion arms package and Xi Jinping's warning

The diplomatic atmosphere remained tense despite the corporate presence, particularly regarding the status of Taiwan. According to the Xinhua News Agency, President Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that the stability of US-China relations depends heavily on how Taiwan is handled, suggesting that failure to do so could lead to "clashes and even conflicts."

This warning comes at a time of significant military tension, as Donald Trump authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December. While the US has not yet moved forward with the delivery of these weapons, the authorization remains a primary point of contention. The two leaders concluded their initial two-hour meeting on Thursday morning, but the source indicates that few breakthroughs are expected on this divisive issue.

The Strait of Hormuz and the quest for agricultural deals

Beyond Taiwan, the summit focused on trade and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Donald Trump expressed a desire for China to use its influence to pressure Iran into agreeing to US terms to end a two-month-old war or to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, Trump is seeking deals for China to increase its purchase of American passenger planes and agricultural products to avoid a recurrence of the tariff-driven trade war from the previous year.

Several critical points remain unresolved and unverified. It is unclear whether the US will eventually deliver the $11 billion arms package to Taiwan or if it will be used as a bargaining chip. Furthermore, the report does not clarify if China has agreed to the proposed "board" to address trade differences, nor does it provide a confirmation that Beijing is willing to exert the specific leverage Trump desires over the Iranian government.