US President Donald Trump personally greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews, marking the first time in 11 years a US leader has met a foreign head of state at the base. The welcome followed an announcement that the US and China have extended a 11-month trade truce to January 10, providing temporary relief from tariffs.
Trump and Xi shared a brief handshake and stood for photos as a military band played, cannons blasted, and a B-1 bomber flew overhead. The visit includes a state dinner, military ceremony, and a visit to the National Archives, with talks on trade, AI, and Taiwan.
The extension of the trade truce and the high-profile welcome signal a focus on maintaining stable relations between the superpowers. Analysts note the visit underscores the significance of the US-China relationship, despite ongoing tensions over trade, AI, and Iran. The truce is expected to hold as both nations aim to reduce tensions amid their rivalry.