Trump and Xi meet in Washington as trade truce extended to January
Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in the United States for a three-day visit, meeting President Donald Trump to discuss artificial intelligence, Taiwan and trade relations. The two sides agreed to extend their trade truce until January 10.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in the United States for a three-day visit, meeting with President Donald Trump. Talks focused on artificial intelligence, the situation around Taiwan, and the future of bilateral trade relations.
Xi was welcomed with a formal ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, where a red carpet was rolled out and Trump personally greeted the Chinese leader at the foot of the plane's stairs. According to the BBC, this marks the first time since 1962 that a US president has personally met a foreign leader on the tarmac.
At the official welcoming ceremony at the White House, Trump noted that he and the Chinese leader have maintained a friendly relationship since his first election in 2016. He said the visit would cover discussions on security, technology and artificial superintelligence, adding that both teams are working to make trade relations more balanced.
China stated its readiness to follow through on important agreements reached between the two heads of state in the military sphere, to strengthen communication and dialogue, and to develop practical cooperation. Xi emphasized that Chinese and American interests are closely intertwined and that China keeps its doors wide open to American companies wishing to invest and do business in the country, expressing hope that Chinese companies in the US would receive fair treatment in return.
Just a year ago, the US and China stood on the verge of a trade war. Since then, tensions have eased considerably: China dropped its ban on rare earth metal exports, while the US lowered tariffs. The trade truce has now been extended until January 10.
Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), noted that meetings between the two leaders have consistently given positive momentum to bilateral relations, adding that businesses mainly want stability and greater trust and communication between the two sides.
The day is set to conclude with a formal dinner at the White House, attended by prominent leaders from the American business and technology sectors.
