Michelle Martin

President Trump called his visit the biggest summit ever, but aides negotiated until the last moment over what to announce, if anything.

People aren't talking about anything else.

NPR's senior political correspondent Tamara Keith has been traveling with the president.

She's with us here in Beijing.

Hi, Tam.

It's great to see you.

So give me the big picture.

What does Trump want out of this summit?

OK, this summit began with the ceremony this morning, Beijing time at the Great Hall of the People.

And you got to be there.

What was it like?

Wow.

Well, I want people to hear what that sounded like so they can almost be standing next to you.

So let's just linger in the sound that you recorded at that moment.

Is there real substance in this meeting?

Yeah, I got an impression from that communique that the Chinese put out that they were continuing to negotiate right up to the last moment to try to find something to announce.

But indeed, they were.

NPR's Tamara Keith, it's a pleasure to see you.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.