US President Donald Trump personally greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, marking the start of a three-day state visit aimed at easing tensions between the world's two largest economies. The event, a rare display of hospitality, includes a military flyover and a red carpet welcome, signaling a focus on diplomatic and trade relations.
Trump and Melania met Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan upon arrival, with a military band playing and B-1 bombers flying overhead. The visit includes a state banquet, a tour of the National Archives, and discussions on AI development, with tech leaders invited to a White House dinner. The event highlights a fragile truce in trade and geopolitical relations.
Analysts note the visit's emphasis on maintaining a delicate balance, with the extension of a trade truce until January 2027 and ongoing discussions on AI regulation. The visit underscores China's strategic patience and the US's focus on maintaining economic and military leadership, despite differing expectations on tangible outcomes.
The visit has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewing it as political theater and others seeing it as a step toward stabilizing global economic relations. The inclusion of AI as a key topic reflects growing concerns over the technology's impact on global stability and competitive advantage.