WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump personally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday as Xi began a three-day state visit focused on trade, artificial intelligence, security and other issues affecting US-China relations.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan on the tarmac after Xi arrived at the US military base outside Washington. A military band played the two countries’ national anthems as the leaders stood together during the arrival ceremony.
The unusual airport welcome came as Washington and Beijing sought to maintain a trade truce and manage disagreements over technology, Taiwan and Iran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the two countries agreed to extend their tariff truce until Jan. 10, 2027. The extension came after intensive talks between US and Chinese officials ahead of Xi’s visit.
Trump and Xi are scheduled to hold formal talks at the White House on Thursday, followed by a state dinner hosted by Trump and Melania. The visit will conclude Friday with a private tea and a tour of the National Archives before Xi departs Washington.
Artificial intelligence is expected to feature prominently in the talks as the United States and China compete over advanced technology. Preliminary discussions between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng included the possibility of establishing a communication channel for AI-related concerns.
The leaders are also expected to discuss the war in Iran and security issues involving Taiwan. Trump confirmed Wednesday that Iran would be part of his discussions with Xi.
The summit comes amid continued disagreements between Washington and Beijing despite efforts to stabilize economic ties. Analysts cited in reports said they expected limited concrete results from the meeting and viewed maintaining the existing diplomatic and trade truce as a central objective.
Trump’s decision to meet Xi at the airport marked an unusual protocol gesture. US presidents typically receive visiting foreign leaders at the White House rather than personally greeting them at Andrews.
The last US president to make a similar airport welcome for a foreign leader at Andrews, outside papal visits, was John F. Kennedy in 1962, according to reports. Trump also personally greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin when he arrived in Alaska last year.
The visit marks Xi’s first trip to Washington in more than a decade and the leaders’ third in-person meeting since Trump returned to the White House.