Trump Xi
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, participate in an arrival ceremony in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington.
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President Donald Trump is hailing the “truly great friendship” he's forged with Xi Jinping as the Chinese leader began his highly anticipated state visit. Trump has many thorny issues to discuss with the president of America’s biggest economic rival. But Trump is focusing on his long relationship with Xi as the two gathered with aides for opening remarks before formal talks Thursday. Xi said in his remarks upon arriving at the White House that the competition between the countries "should be a healthy one and should be kept within bounds. Xi also said China and the U.S. had a responsibility to ensure that humans always operate AI.
Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have no shortage of difficult issues to cover when they sit down for talks at the White House. The leaders are tackling issues like trade irritants, artificial intelligence safeguards and the war in Iran. Trump wants China to use its influence with Iran, while Xi seeks a halt to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. A fragile trade truce had been set to expire in November, but the two countries agreed Wednesday to extend it for two months. Also, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s ban on three news outlets from the White House grounds, ordering early Thursday that CNN, MS NOW and Politico must have their access restored.
