Chinese Entrepreneurs at Trump's Welcome Dinner: Who Are They?

On May 14, 2026, a welcome dinner for President Trump featured several prominent Chinese entrepreneurs, contrasting sharply with the internet tycoons present during his first visit to China in 2017. This shift highlights a significant change in the focus of US-China relations, moving from digital economy leaders to those deeply embedded in manufacturing and global supply chains.

Among the attendees were influential figures such as Lu Weiding of Wanxiang Group, who has established over 20 manufacturing plants across the US, and Cao Hui of Fuyao Glass, whose company has created thousands of jobs in Ohio. Their presence signals a strategic pivot towards hard manufacturing as a key area of collaboration and negotiation.