Trump Welcomes Xi Jinping to Washington as US, China Extend Trade Truce - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States (US) President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington on Wednesday, September 23, for a three-day visit focused on trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and other major issues in the relationship between the world's two largest economies.

According to Al Jazeera, Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, where Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. The arrival ceremony featured a red carpet, a military band and a military flyover.

Trump's decision to personally welcome Xi at the airport was an unusual diplomatic gesture that underscored the significance Washington attaches to the visit.

The high-profile arrival came as the United States and China agreed to extend their trade truce until January 10, giving the two sides more time to negotiate a broader agreement.

- The US and China have extended their trade truce. The agreement, which was initially due to expire in November, has been extended until at least January 10.

- Trump personally welcomed Xi and his wife at the airport. Xi and Peng Liyuan were greeted by Trump and Melania Trump after emerging from their plane. The couples exchanged handshakes during a formal red-carpet welcome.

- Xi said China and the US should be "partners rather than rivals." The Chinese president made the statement in a written message after arriving in the United States, according to Chinese state media.

- Xi is traveling with senior Chinese officials. His delegation includes senior figures such as Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

- Major US technology and AI executives are expected at a state dinner. Their attendance reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence and technology in the US-China relationship.

- Tariffs, AI, the Iran war and Taiwan are among the key issues. Trump and Xi are expected to discuss trade and technology as well as geopolitical tensions involving Taiwan and Iran.

- More diplomatic events are planned during the visit. Xi's schedule includes formal meetings, a state dinner and other events in Washington.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington and Beijing had agreed to extend what he called the "Busan Agreement" from its November 10 expiration date to January 10.

Bessent said he had met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of Xi's visit to explore whether the two countries could reach a broader agreement rather than continue negotiating a series of smaller arrangements.

The short extension could give both sides more time to negotiate the technical details of a wider trade agreement.

Yun Sun, a senior fellow and director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, told Al Jazeera that the two countries had a broader scope of trade negotiations ahead and needed additional time to work through the details.

The extension also comes after months of tensions over tariffs and export controls, making the continuation of the truce a central part of the summit.

Trade is not the only issue expected to dominate Trump's talks with Xi.

Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive areas in the relationship. China claims the self-governing island as part of its territory, while the United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and provides it with military support.

Sun said Beijing's objective could include preventing or delaying a $14 billion US arms package for Taiwan that Congress approved earlier this year.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another area where the two countries could seek greater communication.

The United States and China are competing over advanced AI development while also discussing ways to manage security risks associated with the technology. Sun said Washington had proposed a hotline mechanism that could allow the two countries to notify each other about significant AI-related security risks.

Xi Jinping's Washington visit follows Trump's trip to Beijing in May and marks another effort by the two governments to stabilize relations.

Sun described Xi's visit as unprecedented because the leaders of the world's two largest economies are visiting each other's countries within the same year. She noted that the current effort to stabilize relations follows a period of escalating tariffs and export controls.

Xi also said China and the United States should be "partners rather than rivals," signaling Beijing's stated preference for managing competition through dialogue.

However, significant disagreements remain over trade, technology, Taiwan and other strategic issues.

The extension of the trade truce gives Washington and Beijing additional time to negotiate, while the high-level talks in Washington will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to address some of the broader issues shaping the relationship.

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