US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the US on Wednesday evening at Joint Base Andrews, an unusually generous meeting to begin the Chinese president’s state visit. This marks the second meeting between the two world leaders this year.
The visit is expected to feature significant pageantry, including a 21-gun salute on the South Lawn of the White House, private tea with the US president and first lady, and a tour of the National Archives. First Lady Melania Trump stated on Wednesday morning that they need to welcome them with "the most respect."
Despite the ceremonial welcome, tensions between the two countries, particularly concerning artificial intelligence (AI) development, are likely to be present during the two-day visit. The White House has invited major tech leaders, including executives from OpenAI, Apple, xAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta, to a state dinner on Thursday. Trump has previously dismissed concerns about AI development, advocating for more investment to ensure the US leads China in the field.