Washington, Sep 23 (EFE).-
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for his first state visit to the White House in over a decade, where he will meet with the United States President Donald Trump in an effort to ease growing tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
The Chinese leader, who will remain in the United States until Sept. 25, landed at 5:40 pm local time aboard a state-owned Air China aircraft at Joint Base Andrews, just outside the US capital.
Trump traveled to the air base to greet his counterpart on the tarmac, an unusual gesture highlighting the significance the White House attaches to the meeting.
This marks Xi’s first visit to the White House in more than ten years, following his 2015 trip at the invitation of then-President Barack Obama.
It is also the third face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump returned to office, following summits in October 2025 in Busan, South Korea, and in Beijing back in May.
The centerpiece of the visit will take place on Thursday, when the two leaders hold a bilateral meeting at the White House to address key friction points between Washington and Beijing.
Agenda items include the trade truce, the conflict in Iran, the future of Taiwan, and the race for dominance in artificial intelligence.
While major breakthroughs are not expected, discussions are anticipated to maintain the cordial tone of their previous encounters. Both leaders have emphasized preserving communication channels and touted their personal rapport, despite deep-seated policy differences between their governments.
On Thursday evening, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for a lavish state dinner at the executive mansion.
The US president aims to reciprocate the hospitality shown during his trip to Beijing, which featured an extensive lineup of ceremonial and official events.
Xi will conclude his trip on Friday with a joint visit alongside Trump to the National Archives, home to the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence.
Ahead of the summit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the engagement on Wednesday, stating that the US and China have an obligation to interact and talk at the highest level despite their “differences.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng wrote in an op-ed that both powers require “constructive strategic stability,” adding that the phrase is “not just a slogan,” but a call to act “in the same direction.”
The visit comes during a period of relative commercial detente between Washington and Beijing, even as persistent disputes remain over technology, critical minerals, Taiwan, and China’s ties with Iran. EFE er/dmv/mcd
