Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in the United States for a three-day state visit, with US President Donald Trump personally welcoming him at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The visit is the first Chinese presidential state visit to Washington in more than a decade.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the tarmac during a ceremonial welcome featuring military honours and a bomber flyover. The White House has scheduled a formal arrival ceremony, bilateral talks and a state dinner during the visit.
Trade and Technology Top the Agenda
The meeting comes as Washington and Beijing seek to manage continuing disagreements over trade, tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence and critical minerals.
The two sides have also extended their existing trade truce, providing additional space for negotiations while broader economic differences remain unresolved.
Xi said China and the US should work as partners rather than rivals, calling for cooperation alongside managed competition and differences.
Taiwan and Iran Also in Focus
The talks are expected to cover sensitive geopolitical issues, including Taiwan and the conflict involving Iran, alongside economic and technology questions.
The wider agenda reflects how US-China relations now extend beyond tariffs and trade into security, advanced technology and global conflicts.
A Carefully Choreographed Visit
The visit includes several high-profile ceremonial events. After Thursday’s White House programme and state dinner, Xi and Peng are scheduled to meet the Trumps for private tea on Friday before visiting the National Archives.
The diplomatic engagement comes despite continuing disagreements between Washington and Beijing. The immediate focus is therefore on maintaining communication and managing areas of friction while the two governments negotiate their broader economic and strategic relationship.
