TRUMP WELCOMES XI TO WASHINGTON AS US-CHINA SUMMIT FOCUSES ON TRADE AND STRATEGIC ISSUES

September 24, 2026

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a high-profile summit focused on trade, artificial intelligence, security and other major areas of disagreement between the world’s two largest economies. The visit is Xi’s first trip to Washington in more than a decade and the leaders’ second meeting this year.

Trump highlighted what he described as progress in US-China trade relations and said the two sides would also discuss security, technology and artificial intelligence. Xi said competition between Washington and Beijing should remain within limits and called for greater cooperation, including on combating illegal drugs and improving military communication.

The summit follows an agreement by the two countries to extend their existing trade truce until January. The arrangement is intended to prevent a renewed escalation of tariffs while negotiations continue on trade and other economic issues. However, major differences remain over Taiwan, technology controls, artificial intelligence and broader strategic relations.

Both governments have emphasised stability in bilateral relations, but expectations of a comprehensive breakthrough remain limited. AI cooperation is also on the agenda, with Xi stressing that development should remain under human control, while the two countries continue competing for technological leadership.