WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) gives President of China Xi Jinping (2R) a tour of the helipad and the presidential helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House on September 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is hosting President Xi for a three-day state visit to Washington, DC where the leaders are expected to discuss trade practices, artificial intelligence and furthering “strategic stability” between their countries. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (TNND) —President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday forhigh-stakes talks focused on trade, artificial intelligence and national security, as the leaders of the world’s two largest economies seek areas of cooperation despite deep differences.
Xi arrived at the White House for an elaborate state arrival ceremony featuring military honors and hundreds of service members. (TNND)
Xi arrived at the White House for an elaborate state arrival ceremony featuring military honors and hundreds of service members. The ceremony included 479 military personnel from across the armed forces and a flyover featuring a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22 Raptors.
The visit marks Xi’s first trip to the White House in more than a decade.
Trump emphasized his personal relationship with the Chinese leader during opening remarks, describing it as “a truly great friendship” built on mutual respect and the interests of both countries.
Xi quickly turned to economic issues, saying China welcomes American companies seeking to invest and do business there while calling for Chinese companies to receive fair treatment in the United States.
Trade is among the biggest issues facing the two leaders.
The countries have been operating under a tariff truce reached after Trump and Xi met in South Korea last year. The agreement is set to expire Nov. 10 as negotiators work toward a longer-term arrangement.
“Our teams have been working to create a more balanced trade relationship, including the new market access for American farmers and ranchers,” Trump said.
Also on the agenda are China’s dominance in rare earth minerals and critical supply chains, tensions over Taiwan and Beijing’s relationship with Iran.
Artificial intelligence is another major focus as Washington and Beijing compete for a technological edge while also discussing potential guardrails around the rapidly developing technology.
Xi said the countries have a responsibility to “develop and manage AI for good,” arguing the technology should remain under human control and serve the public.
Despite disagreements on several fronts, both leaders used their opening remarks to emphasize stability and cooperation.
Xi said he was prepared to work with Trump to steer the U.S.-China relationship “on a steady course towards the future.”
Trump said decisions made during the talks could “promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come.”
Thursday’s meeting is the third face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi in less than a year, following meetings in South Korea and Beijing.
The two leaders are expected to meet twice more before the end of the year — at the APEC summit in China in November and the G20 summit in Florida in December.
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