Trump personally greets Xi Jinping at Andrews as Chinese leader begins state visit

Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday evening, a gesture seen as an unusually generous way to open Xi's state visit to the United States. It marks the two leaders' second meeting this year, and Trump is expected to extend lavish treatment to his counterpart as major issues — including the artificial intelligence race and broader geopolitical instability — hang over the encounter.

Xi is set to receive a 21-gun salute on the White House South Lawn, private tea with the president and first lady, and a tour of the National Archives, among other special events planned for the visit.

AI tensions persist

Despite the ceremonial welcome, friction between the two countries — particularly over AI development — is likely to remain present throughout the two-day visit. The White House has invited leading tech executives, including representatives from OpenAI, Apple, xAI, Microsoft, Nvidia and Meta, to Thursday's state dinner.

The US and China have long competed to develop more powerful technology, and the AI race has become a dominant topic in the tech industry, especially after several executives publicly warned about the risks of rapid development. Trump has dismissed such concerns, instead pushing for greater investment so the US can outpace China. Last week on Truth Social, he wrote that a "sick conspiracy" was underway against AI and data centers that only benefits China, insisting the US remains ahead in the race. Administration officials have argued that leadership in AI also translates into military and economic dominance, raising the stakes further for both nations.

Xi's visit is expected to feature extensive pageantry, mirroring the reception Trump received during his own visit to China earlier this year. Trump's choice to greet Xi at the plane rather than at the White House underscores how far he is willing to go to accommodate the Chinese leader. First lady Melania Trump told Fox & Friends on Wednesday morning that Xi was arriving on US soil and needed to be welcomed with the utmost respect.