Xi Washington Visit Begins as US, China Extend Trade Truce

Washington – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – The Xi Washington Visit began on Wednesday, when US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping for a three-day trip. It is Xi’s first visit to the United States in nearly three years.

The trip comes at a tense time. The two countries disagree on trade, technology, Taiwan and Iran. Still, both leaders chose to go ahead with the meeting.

Trump greeted Xi in person at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The two leaders and their wives shook hands and talked for a few minutes. They then stood for photos.

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet President Xi Jinping of China and Madame Peng Liyuan upon their arrival in Washington, D.C., ahead of the state visit at the White House. pic.twitter.com/nm2vGonChM

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2026

A military band played, cannons fired and a B-1 bomber flew overhead. It was a grand welcome, and it showed how much the visit matters.

According to C-SPAN, this was the first time in 11 years that a US president greeted a foreign leader at Andrews. The last one was Pope Francis in 2015, when Barack Obama was president.

NOW: President Trump has greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, DC with the following:

– 100-foot-long red carpet
– Salute Battery
– 21-Person Honor Cordon
– 2 three-person color teams to include the U.S. and Chinese flag
– USAF band playing fanfare and… pic.twitter.com/X7W0oOtc2u

— Jordan Conradson🇺🇸 (@ConradsonJordan) September 23, 2026

Trade truce gets more time

The biggest news so far is about trade. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides have reached a deal to extend their trade truce.

He told Fox News that the truce will now last until January 10. It was set to end on November 10. China’s embassy in Washington had no immediate comment.

Even a small trade deal could help. Global markets were shaken by the tariff war in 2025, which pushed taxes between the two countries to triple-digit levels.

Xi also sent a message of goodwill. In a written statement, he said China and the United States should be partners, not rivals. He did not mention a trade deal.

Big problems are still open

Not everything is smooth. The two sides still disagree on export controls for rare-earth minerals and computer chips. They also differ over China’s ties with Iran and US support for Taiwan.

People familiar with the plans say Xi will likely raise Taiwan. Washington would rather avoid that topic. Trump is expected to keep strict export controls in place, even though Xi objects.

It is also unclear if Beijing will help Trump end the stalemate in the war with Iran.

What could come out of Thursday’s talks

Talks on Thursday may still bring some results. The two sides could agree to lower tariffs in certain sectors. They may also work together against drug trafficking and expand talks between their militaries.

Trump is also expected to ask for the release of Americans and others held in China. The leaders may agree to talk more about artificial intelligence, where both countries compete hard.

Both leaders face problems back home. Many Americans are unhappy with the war on Iran, which is nearly seven months old and has pushed up energy prices.

Trump’s Republican Party also faces a tough test in the November congressional elections. Some Republicans see Beijing as a serious threat. They are uneasy about his friendly approach to China’s ruling party.

Xi looks stronger, as China’s trade is booming. But he faces weak household spending and a property market slump. His anti-corruption drive in the military has boosted his power, but it has also raised doubts about how ready the army is.

Analyst Edgard Kagan of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies says the two leaders see time differently. Trump believes America will grow stronger. Xi believes the US is declining and time is on China’s side.

On Thursday, Trump will host a state dinner. Guests are expected to include Apple’s Tim Cook, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s Sam Altman.

The visit will also include a White House military ceremony and a trip to the National Archives. There, the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution are kept.

There will be no joint press conference. Instead, each country is expected to release its own announcement for its home audience.

Another meeting between the two leaders looks likely this year. It could happen at the APEC summit in China in November or at the G20 meetings in the US in December.

The Xi Washington Visit may not bring big breakthroughs. But it shows that both sides want to keep talking, even as deep differences remain.