Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Xi Jinping Arrives in US for Rare Trump Airport Welcome
China’s leader, Xi Jinping, arrived in the United States for a three-day visit.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at an airport near Washington.
The welcome was unusually grand, with music, soldiers, cannon fire and airplanes flying overhead.
Reports said this was the first US presidential airport welcome for a foreign leader since 1962.
Xi said China and the United States should be partners rather than rivals.
The leaders are expected to discuss trade, technology, artificial intelligence, military issues and conflicts around the world.
They will also attend ceremonies, a formal dinner, private tea and a tour of the National Archives.
Officials said the two countries have serious disagreements, so a major agreement is not expected.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Joint Base Andrews for a three-day US state visit.
Donald and Melania Trump personally welcomed Xi and Peng Liyuan at the airport.
The ceremony included a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-person honor cordon, cannon fire and two B-1 bomber flyovers.
Talks are expected to cover trade, technology, artificial intelligence, military ties, Taiwan and global conflicts.
The visit includes White House ceremonies, a state dinner, private tea and a National Archives tour, but major breakthroughs are considered unlikely.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan are visiting US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
- What
- Xi is making a three-day state visit that includes a rare airport welcome and talks with Trump.
- When
- Xi arrived on Wednesday, September 24, with events scheduled for Thursday and Friday; one report describes the visit as running from September 23 to 25.
- Where
- The visit began at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and includes events at the White House and National Archives in Washington.
- Why
- The visit is intended to maintain high-level US-China communication and address disagreements involving trade, technology, security and international conflicts.
Case for Engagement
Cautious Outlook
Maintaining leader-level contact
Case for Engagement
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it would be irresponsible for the leaders of the United States and China not to interact despite their disagreements.
Cautious Outlook
The reports emphasize that the countries have strong disagreements on trade, security, Taiwan, technology and international conflicts.
Meaning of the ceremony
Case for Engagement
The rare airport reception and extensive formal events signal respect and the importance Washington places on the relationship.
Cautious Outlook
The ceremony is primarily symbolic, and the reports do not expect it to produce major policy breakthroughs.
Tone of the relationship
Case for Engagement
Xi said China and the United States should be partners rather than rivals and that their national goals could go hand in hand.
Cautious Outlook
The planned talks involve difficult disputes, including tariffs, military ties, Taiwan and global conflicts.
- Arrival
- Xi’s aircraft landed at 5:39 p.m. local time, and Xi disembarked at 6:01 p.m.
- Visit length
- Three days
- Airport reception
- Trump personally welcomed Xi, reportedly the first such US presidential airport welcome since 1962.
- Ceremony
- The welcome featured a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-person honor cordon, the US Air Force Band, ceremonial cannon fire and two B-1 bomber flyovers.
- Expected topics
- Trade tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence, military ties, Taiwan, Middle East conflicts, the Russia-Ukraine war and space arms competition.
- Scheduled events
- A White House ceremonial welcome and troop review, a formal state dinner, private tea and a National Archives tour.
- Expectations
- The reports say major breakthroughs in the US-China relationship are unlikely.
Sources
China’s Xi arrives in the US for 3-day visit to rare airport reception by Trump
Xi Jinping receives grand welcome from Trump ahead of US-China summit
US President Donald Trump Personally Welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping At Airport Ahead Of Talks In Washington | Video