Trump personally welcomes Xi Jinping for state visit to Washington
US President Donald Trump personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington on Wednesday evening as Xi arrived in the United States.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, as they stepped off the plane. After shaking hands, the two couples listened to the national anthems of both countries. The ceremony was accompanied by a flyover by US military aircraft.
The rare airport reception marks the beginning of a three-day state visit focused on efforts to ease tensions between the two powers over trade, artificial intelligence and geopolitical issues, CE Report quotes STA.
The reception took place without footage from major television networks, which are boycotting Trump over his decision to bar three media outlets from the White House. Xi’s schedule on Thursday includes an official reception at the White House, talks in the Oval Office and a state dinner. On Friday, he will attend a tea gathering at the White House before visiting the National Archives.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said ahead of Xi’s arrival that the United States and China had extended their trade truce, which had been due to expire on November 10. It will now remain in effect until January 10, giving the two countries additional time to negotiate trade and economic issues.
Some issues remain unresolved
Tensions between the two countries escalated sharply last year after Trump began imposing tariffs on Chinese imports. China responded with similar measures and halted purchases of US agricultural products. The two sides subsequently went through periods of new tariffs and temporary truces, while Trump and Xi reached a broader trade truce in Busan in October.
Trump and Xi’s talks will also cover artificial intelligence, security issues and conflicts around the world. Trump has confirmed that the war with Iran will be among the topics discussed, but has not said whether he will ask his Chinese counterpart to help mediate for peace in Ukraine, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged.
Questions also remain over US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence chips. China says the measures restrict its companies’ access to advanced technology, while the United States accuses China of restricting supplies of certain critical raw materials.
The visit is the third meeting between Trump and Xi since Trump returned to the White House. Xi is visiting Washington for the first time in nearly three years, and the trip marks the first state visit by a Chinese president to the US capital in more than a decade.
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