Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Trump Caps Xi Visit With Tour of U.S. Founding Documents
President Donald Trump is showing Chinese President Xi Jinping important U.S. historical documents.
They include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Xi is visiting the National Archives before leaving Washington.
The visit lasted three days and included formal dinners and tours.
Trump and Xi acted friendly toward each other.
They talked about several international issues in a private meeting.
However, the visit did not produce major new agreements on trade or artificial intelligence safety.
Some critics said the visit had more ceremony than concrete results.
President Donald Trump is taking Chinese President Xi Jinping to the National Archives as Xi concludes a three-day state visit.
The visit includes the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, alongside a semiquincentennial exhibit called “The American Story.”
Trump and Xi presented a cooperative tone, but the visit produced no major breakthroughs on trade or artificial intelligence safety.
The leaders held a private 90-minute meeting covering the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula, according to China’s government readout.
The state visit included tea at the White House, a black-tie dinner and tours for Xi and Peng Liyuan.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan.
- What
- Xi is concluding a three-day state visit with a tour of the National Archives and its founding documents.
- When
- Xi is expected to depart Washington on Friday, after events held Thursday and during the three-day visit.
- Where
- Washington, including the White House and the National Archives.
- Why
- Trump said he wanted to show Xi important U.S. historical treasures and artifacts reflecting the relationship between the two countries.
Critics and Skeptics
U.S. and Chinese Official Framing
Ceremony versus substance
Critics and Skeptics
Critics characterized the state visit as heavy on pomp and light on substance because it produced no major breakthroughs on trade or artificial intelligence safety.
U.S. and Chinese Official Framing
Trump and Xi emphasized harmony between the two countries through formal events, historical tours and discussions of international issues.
Public account of private talks
Critics and Skeptics
The White House provided no information about the leaders’ 90-minute private meeting, leaving its results unclear.
U.S. and Chinese Official Framing
China’s official readout said the leaders discussed the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.
Political message
Critics and Skeptics
Trump’s red-carpet treatment of Xi was described as complicating his effort to portray Democrats as communists before the midterm elections.
U.S. and Chinese Official Framing
Trump presented the visit as an opportunity to share U.S. history and highlight cooperation between the two countries.
- Visit length
- Three-day state visit
- Featured documents
- Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
- Exhibit
- “The American Story,” marking the United States’ 250th anniversary
- Private meeting
- 90 minutes on Thursday
- Discussion topics
- The Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula
- Unresolved issues
- No major breakthroughs on trade or artificial intelligence safety
- Cultural occasion
- China’s Mid-Autumn Festival