President Donald Trump and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping met at the White House on Thursday for talks focusing on trade, artificial intelligence, and security issues. The summit included military fanfare and a banquet, with both leaders delivering remarks during an arrival ceremony.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Wednesday evening that the countries agreed to extend their temporary trade truce by two months to Jan. 10. The agreement previously lowered U.S. tariffs and suspended Beijing’s controls on exports of rare earths and critical minerals, and was originally set to expire in mid-November.
Trade and Bilateral Discussions
During the arrival ceremony, Trump stated in a speech that the two countries have been working to encourage a more balanced trading relationship.
He also noted that the leaders planned to discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology, and AI, adding, The decisions we make in these areas today can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come.
https://x.com/CBSNews/status/2102811555347763570
Xi remarked through live translation that China and the United States, as two major countries, stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in confrontation.
He further stated, We do not need to avoid mentioning competition, but our competition should be a healthy one and should be kept within bounds. It should be a race of catching up with one another, not a wrestle in which one either wins or loses.
Xi also announced that two pandas will arrive at Georgia’s Zoo Atlanta in the coming days.
Artificial Intelligence on the Agenda
Trump confirmed via social media that artificial intelligence would be a major topic, utilizing the term Super Intelligence (SI)
to refer to the technology. Trump wrote that he wants to leave the sector exactly where it is,
and stated that That is China’s position also.
Arrival Ceremonies and Pomp
Xi arrived Wednesday evening at Maryland’s Joint Base Andrews, where Trump met him at the airplane stairs after walking down a red carpet rolled out by U.S. service members. The Thursday morning arrival ceremony featured military members lining the south portico stairs with U.S. and Chinese flags while trumpets played a fanfare. A source familiar confirmed to CNBC that it was Trump’s first time traveling to the base to welcome a foreign leader.
Before leaving the tarmac, Xi received a military flyover of two B-1 bombers, cannon fire, and a performance of the national anthem by a U.S. Air Force band. Trump later posted on social media, I met President Xi at the plane (Airport!) yesterday and he looks strong, vibrant, and fit – Better than ever.
Related reading