WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday as the Trump-Xi summit began with trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan among the issues on the agenda.
According to a White House statement, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted Xi and Peng Liyuan after their arrival in Maryland. The two couples spoke briefly before walking along a red carpet.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the same day that Washington and Beijing would extend their existing trade truce to January, the arrangement had been due to expire on November 10.
Xi said in a statement carried by China’s state news agency Xinhua that the two countries should be “partners rather than rivals”. He said the visit would produce results.
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Artificial intelligence is another point of disagreement. Trump told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that he opposed a global regulatory structure for the technology. China has supported broader international discussion on AI governance.
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Xi’s programme includes a White House state arrival ceremony and state dinner on Thursday. The White House said the visit will conclude on Friday after events in Washington.
