Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Trump Courts Xi as Congress Warns Over China
President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the United States.
Trump and Melania Trump greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the airport.
The welcome included a red carpet, music, and a bomber flying overhead.
Many members of Congress said China is acting dangerously in several parts of the world.
They pointed to China’s relationship with Iran and its actions near Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.
They also criticized China’s trade practices and use of artificial intelligence.
Senator Roger Wicker said Xi is an unelected and oppressive leader.
Lawmakers want Trump to raise these issues during his talks with Xi.
The disagreement shows that Trump’s friendly approach toward Xi is not shared by many members of Congress.
President Donald Trump gave Chinese leader Xi Jinping an unusually lavish welcome during Xi’s state visit to the United States.
Lawmakers from both parties criticized China’s actions involving Iran, the Indo-Pacific, trade, artificial intelligence, and human rights.
Republican Senator Roger Wicker called Xi a “brutal, unelected, and oppressive dictator” and questioned the state visit.
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party highlighted human-rights violations under Xi’s leadership.
Lawmakers urged Trump to discuss Taiwan, arms sales, Chinese military activity, artificial intelligence, and trade with Xi.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and members of the United States Congress, including Senator Roger Wicker.
- What
- Trump hosted Xi Jinping with a highly ceremonial welcome while lawmakers warned about China’s conduct and urged Trump to confront Xi on several issues.
- When
- During Xi Jinping’s state visit, including his arrival on Wednesday.
- Where
- The United States, including Washington and the Indo-Pacific region in the issues discussed.
- Why
- Trump sought to improve relations with Xi, while lawmakers cited concerns about China’s military activity, support for Iran, trade practices, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and human-rights record.
Congressional Concerns
Trump’s Engagement Approach
State visit and diplomacy
Congressional Concerns
Lawmakers, particularly Roger Wicker, argued that Xi should not have received such a lavish welcome because of China’s policies and military posture.
Trump’s Engagement Approach
Trump welcomed Xi personally in an effort to court the Chinese leader and advance discussions between the two countries.
Approach to China
Congressional Concerns
Members of Congress urged Trump to confront Xi over China’s actions involving Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, Iran, trade, artificial intelligence, and human rights.
Trump’s Engagement Approach
The article says Trump has reduced the role of human rights in American foreign policy and has pursued symbolic trade gains while accommodating Xi on Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan and regional security
Congressional Concerns
Lawmakers pressed Trump to proceed with arms sales to Taiwan and raise concerns about Chinese military activity and alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen and sailors.
Trump’s Engagement Approach
The article portrays Trump as unlikely to follow these recommendations, citing his effort to maintain a more conciliatory relationship with Xi.
- Visiting leader
- Xi Jinping, leader of China
- U.S. host
- President Donald Trump
- Congressional critic
- Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee
- Welcome ceremony
- Trump and Melania Trump greeted Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan on the tarmac with a red-carpet ceremony, the U.S. national anthem, and a bomber flyover.
- Issues raised
- Iran, the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan, trade, artificial intelligence, and human rights
- House committee concern
- The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party highlighted human-rights violations under Xi’s leadership.