Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Trump Welcomes Xi With Red Carpet as Trade Talks Loom
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting the United States to meet President Donald Trump.
Trump gave Xi and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan, an unusually large welcome at an airport.
The welcome included a long red carpet, military honors and planes flying overhead.
The visit lasts three days and includes meetings, a formal ceremony and a state dinner.
The leaders will talk about trade and tariffs, which are extra charges on goods from another country.
They will also discuss rare-earth materials, which are used in cars, electronics and energy technology.
China wants better access to advanced computer chips, while the United States is concerned about China’s industrial and technology policies.
Artificial intelligence is another important topic because it affects safety, security and economic power.
The two sides may also discuss Taiwan, Iran and how to keep talking during disagreements.
President Donald Trump gave Chinese President Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan a rare planeside welcome at Joint Base Andrews, featuring a red carpet, military honors, cannon fire and bomber flyovers.
Xi’s three-day US state visit, scheduled for September 23-25, includes White House meetings, a state dinner and a National Archives visit before his departure.
Trade, tariffs, supply chains, rare earths, export controls and advanced semiconductors are central issues as the countries navigate a tariff truce.
The leaders are expected to discuss artificial intelligence, including possible communication channels for serious AI-related security incidents.
Taiwan, Iran and regional stability are also expected to feature, while Xi has called for the United States and China to act as partners rather than rivals.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump, Peng Liyuan, Melania Trump and their delegations.
- What
- A three-day US state visit and summit addressing trade, technology, critical minerals and security.
- When
- September 23-25; the articles say Xi is scheduled to depart on Friday.
- Where
- Joint Base Andrews and Washington, DC, including the White House.
- Why
- The visit is intended to manage tensions and discuss disagreements over trade, technology, critical minerals and regional security.
Cooperation and Mutual Benefit
Strategic Competition and Leverage
US-China relationship
Cooperation and Mutual Benefit
Xi said China and the United States should be partners rather than rivals and that cooperation could benefit both countries and the wider world.
Strategic Competition and Leverage
US officials emphasized that the two largest economies and among the most powerful militaries have major disagreements requiring direct, high-level engagement.
Trade and technology
Cooperation and Mutual Benefit
The tariff truce and possible agreements could reduce economic disruption, while communication channels could help manage serious AI-related security incidents.
Strategic Competition and Leverage
Washington is pressing Beijing over industrial overcapacity, while Beijing is seeking relief from US restrictions on advanced semiconductors and chip-manufacturing equipment.
Critical minerals
Cooperation and Mutual Benefit
Stable access to rare earths and magnets would support electric vehicles, defense systems and renewable-energy technology.
Strategic Competition and Leverage
China’s dominant position in rare-earth extraction and magnet processing gives Beijing significant bargaining leverage in negotiations.
Expected outcome
Cooperation and Mutual Benefit
Continued talks and an extension of the tariff truce could preserve engagement between the two governments.
Strategic Competition and Leverage
One report said expectations for a major trade agreement were low because the negotiations remain complex.
- Visit dates
- September 23-25
- Arrival
- Joint Base Andrews, where Trump personally greeted Xi and Peng
- Main economic issues
- Trade, tariffs, supply chains, rare earths, export controls and semiconductors
- Trade truce
- The United States and China agreed to reduce some tariffs and avoid new trade restrictions; its continuation is under discussion
- Rare-earth leverage
- One report said China controls more than 70% of global rare-earth extraction and 90% of magnet processing
- State events
- White House meetings, military honors, a state dinner and a National Archives visit
- Security topics
- Artificial intelligence, Taiwan, Iran and regional stability
Sources
Trump gives Xi rare personal welcome with red carpet and bombers; hard talks on trade, tech and Iran await
Xi Jinping US visit LIVE Updates: Trump breaks protocol to welcome Chinese president at airport
Donald Trump rolls out red carpet for Xi Jinping as US, China eye deals on trade, AI and rare earths
