Trump offers warm welcome as China's Xi arrives for US visit

September 24, 2026

President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington with an elaborate ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, featuring a military flyover, 100-foot red carpet, and marching band - marking the first time since 1962 a US president has personally greeted a foreign leader at the base. The three-day summit, Xi's first visit to Washington since 2015, will address multiple critical issues including artificial intelligence, the Iran conflict, Taiwan, and trade relations. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an extension of the US-China trade truce until January, postponing the previous November expiration date.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng
Cai Qi (member of party's Politburo Standing Committee)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
US tech executives including Tim Cook (Apple), Elon Musk (Tesla), and Jensen Huang (Nvidia)
Leaders of US AI companies attending the state dinner
American agricultural producers
US and Chinese businesses involved in trade relations

What action is being taken

Trump is hosting a three-day summit with Xi in Washington
The US and China are extending their trade truce to January
Bessent and He Lifeng are discussing the possibility of a more substantive trade deal
Melania Trump is involved in planning the visit itinerary
Leaders of US AI companies are slated to attend Thursday's state dinner

Why it matters

This visit represents a significant diplomatic engagement between the world's two largest economies at a critical juncture in US-China relations. The personal airport greeting by Trump signals the high priority placed on this relationship, particularly as both nations compete for dominance in artificial intelligence and navigate contentious trade issues. The extension of the trade truce and discussions of more substantive deals could have major implications for global commerce, technology development, and geopolitical stability, affecting industries from agriculture to rare earth minerals and advanced technology sectors.

What's next

Closed-door meetings between Trump and Xi will take place
A state dinner is scheduled for Thursday with US AI company leaders attending
Xi's visit will conclude on Friday
The extended trade truce will now expire in January instead of November 10
Discussions will continue regarding a more substantive trade deal between the two countries

Read full article from source: BBC