Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Trump and Xi Prepare for High-Stakes Washington Talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting the United States to meet President Donald Trump.
The visit will last three days, from Wednesday through Friday.
The leaders are expected to discuss trade, artificial intelligence, security and human rights.
Some US lawmakers want Trump to keep advanced technology away from China.
They also want him to discuss political prisoners and the treatment of minority groups.
The White House has not said exactly what agreements may come from the talks.
Xi and Trump will attend a formal ceremony with military music, speeches and aircraft.
Their spouses will visit a museum, and the two couples will attend a state dinner.
The visit is important because US-China relations have been tense over trade, technology, Taiwan and other issues.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a three-day state visit to Washington beginning Wednesday and meet US President Donald Trump.
Trade, artificial intelligence, security and human rights are expected to dominate the talks, although the White House has not detailed the agenda.
US lawmakers are urging Trump to maintain restrictions on China’s access to advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Democrats also want Trump to address alleged Chinese support for Iran, human rights concerns and the detention of political prisoners.
The visit includes a White House ceremony, military displays, a state dinner and cultural events before Xi and Peng Liyuan depart Friday.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with their spouses and accompanying officials.
- What
- A three-day state visit and high-level talks covering trade, artificial intelligence, security and human rights.
- When
- The visit begins Wednesday, with formal events Thursday and departure scheduled for Friday.
- Where
- Washington, including Joint Base Andrews, the White House, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and the National Archives.
- Why
- The leaders are meeting amid strained US-China relations and disputes over tariffs, technology, Taiwan, security and human rights.
Congressional Demands
Presidential Visit Framework
Advanced technology exports
Congressional Demands
Democratic senators want controls on exports of advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China treated as non-negotiable.
Presidential Visit Framework
The White House has not publicly detailed the agenda or identified agreements that may emerge from the talks.
Human rights
Congressional Demands
Lawmakers want cooperation with Beijing tied to measurable improvements and want Trump to seek the release of named political prisoners.
Presidential Visit Framework
The state visit’s published program emphasizes diplomatic ceremonies, cultural exchanges and discussions, without publicly announced human-rights commitments.
Security and trade policy
Congressional Demands
Some Democrats want Trump to confront Xi over China’s alleged assistance to Iran, military posture, trade policies and what they describe as weakened US alliances.
Presidential Visit Framework
Trump and Xi are expected to address security and trade directly, but the article does not specify the administration’s negotiating positions or planned outcomes.
- Visit length
- Three days
- Arrival
- Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan are scheduled to arrive at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday afternoon.
- Main issues
- Trade, artificial intelligence, security and human rights
- White House ceremony
- The ceremony will involve 479 military personnel and include national anthems, remarks, a military review and a flyover.
- Technology concerns
- US lawmakers are pressing for continued controls on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment exports to China.
- Political prisoners named
- Gulshan Abbas, Jimmy Lai, Gao Quanfu, Pang Yu and Ekpar Asat
- Departure
- Trump and Melania Trump are scheduled to bid farewell to Xi and Peng at the National Archives on Friday.