US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for high-level talks aimed at managing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Xi’s visit is his first to Washington in more than a decade and his second face-to-face meeting with Trump this year. Trump personally greeted Xi when the Chinese leader arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, an unusual gesture that underscored the importance Washington is placing on the relationship.
The formal programme began with a state arrival ceremony before restricted and expanded bilateral meetings. The visit also includes a state dinner and further events on Friday, according to the White House.
Trade is one of the central issues. The two governments have stepped back from their sharpest tariff threats, but disagreements remain over market access, Chinese purchases of US goods, technology controls and supplies of rare-earth minerals used in advanced manufacturing. Officials on both sides are seeking to prevent those disputes from escalating into a wider economic confrontation.
Artificial intelligence is also on the agenda. Trump said before the meeting that AI would be a major topic, while officials have discussed whether the two countries need clearer channels to manage risks arising from powerful systems and possible cyber incidents. Washington and Beijing remain fierce competitors in the development of advanced chips and AI models.
Taiwan remains the most sensitive political issue between the two countries. Beijing regards the self-governed island as part of China and has increased military pressure around it. The United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and supplies it with defensive weapons, while opposing any unilateral change to the status quo.
The leaders were also expected to discuss international conflicts and energy security. The wars involving Iran and Ukraine have affected oil markets, trade routes and relations between China and Western governments. Washington has pressed Beijing to use its influence in efforts to reduce global tensions, while China has called for a more stable relationship with the United States.
Xi said on arrival that the countries should treat one another as partners rather than rivals and pursue peaceful coexistence. Trump has presented the visit as an opportunity to secure progress on trade while maintaining pressure on Beijing over strategic competition.
The ceremonial reception signals an effort by both leaders to project stability, but the result will depend on whether the talks produce specific commitments and whether those agreements are implemented. Previous understandings between the two governments have advanced unevenly, leaving tariffs, technology restrictions and security concerns unresolved.
Sources: SABC News/Reuters, 24 September 2026; Sky News, 24 September 2026; The White House.