U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping with a high-profile arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, marking Xi's first state visit to Washington in over a decade. The event underscores the U.S.-China relationship amid ongoing trade and AI tensions.
Trump and Xi met at the base, with Trump's decision to greet Xi on the tarmac rather than at the White House signaling a shift in diplomatic protocol. The visit includes a state dinner and is expected to focus on trade, AI, and political issues, with Trump emphasizing personal rapport over concrete outcomes.
Senate Republicans criticize the lavish welcome, with Senator Wicker calling Xi a 'brutal dictator' and urging Trump to address China's military buildup and support for Iran. Meanwhile, Trump's administration highlights the visit's significance in maintaining strategic stability between the world's largest economies.
The visit comes as China seeks to reshape the Asian order, with Trump's team emphasizing the importance of high-level engagement despite differing views on China's global influence and domestic policies.