Xi Jinping laid out terms for a mutual understanding that he said could avoid military conflict between the two competing superpowers, according to a report from The Guardian. The remarks came as the two leaders sat down for their second summit this year at the White House, following an elaborate welcome at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday evening.
Trump personally greeted Xi on the tarmac with a military flyover and a 100-foot red carpet – the first time a US president has personally welcomed a foreign leader at the base since President John F. Kennedy greeted British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1962. Xi struck a conciliatory tone upon arrival, declaring in a written statement that China and the United States 'should be partners, not rivals'.
The summit agenda includes deep divisions over trade, artificial intelligence, and Taiwan. Just before the visit, Washington and Beijing agreed to extend their trade truce by another two months, until January 10, postponing additional tariffs and export restrictions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the extension on Wednesday.
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae held preemptive talks with Trump in New York on Septemb er 22, making Tokyo's concerns clear – particularly over Taiwan. Japan worries that Xi could use Trump's desire for a broader economic deal to press Washington to delay arms sales to the island, potentially making Taiwan part of a wider bargain. Takaichi said afterward the timing demonstrated the strength of the Japan-US alliance.
NPR notes that the summit features much fanfare but little in the way of grand bargains. Al Jazeera quotes experts saying rebuilding trust may take priority over major deals. The Financial Review highlights that how the leaders handle the development of AI is a key question looming over the meeting.