Trump heads to China for state visit. And, how the war in Iran has affected inflation

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories President Trump leaves for a state visit to China today. It will be his first visit to Beijing during his second term. Trade will be a major focus, as well as the ongoing conflict with Iran. China and Iran are close allies and trading partners , and there are questions about whether China has assisted Iran. The U.S. has spent weeks bombing Iran and is now blockading all ships connected to the country. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they depart following a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025 in Busan, South Korea. Andrew Harnik/ AsiaPac hide caption toggle caption Andrew Harnik/ AsiaPac 🎧 Observers expect China to announce additional purchases of soybeans and other agricultural products , and possibly even Boeing airplanes, during the trip. Announcing significant purchase agreements has become a trademark of Trump's foreign trips, but these deals often turn out to be less substantial than they initially appear, NPR's Tamara Keith tells Up First . Experts tell Keith that the U.S. and China want to stabilize their relationship . While previous presidents have criticized Xi over human rights and warned him about Taiwan, Trump has focused more publicly on deals and expressed admiration for Xi's power in China. …