Story highlights Trump and Xi are set for two days of meetings

They are taking place at Trump's Florida resort

Palm Beach, Florida (CNN) President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sat down to steak and pan-seared sole shortly after Trump made the decision to pull the trigger on a missile strike in Syria -- the biggest military action of his presidency.

Trump met with his national security team before the formal dinner in Mar-a-Lago Thursday, sitting through the meal with President Xi while action was underway.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during dinner at the Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Defense Secretary James Mattis updated President Trump about strikes following dinner, according to a US official.

The gathering, in an ornate private dining room on Trump's opulent Florida estate, was taking place ahead of a series of high-stakes meetings where the two leaders are expected to tackle a range of complex issues.

The trade relationship between the two countries and the rising threat of North Korea's nuclear program are due to be top of the agenda during discussions due to take place at Mar-a-Lago.

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