President Trump greeted Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews as the US and China extended their Busan trade truce until January, with AI rivalry, Iran and Taiwan topping the summit agenda.
President Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, an unusual personal welcome that opened a three-day state visit to Washington, as the two governments confirmed an extension of their fragile trade truce.
An unusual airport welcome
Trump and first lady Melania Trump travelled to the military base in Maryland, just outside Washington, to receive Xi, his wife Peng Liyuan and the Chinese delegation. US presidents typically welcome foreign leaders at the White House.
The ceremony included a roughly 100-foot red carpet flanked by US service members, a flyover by two B-1 bombers, and the presentation of both countries' flags and national anthems. Video of the event showed Trump visibly wincing at the sound of the military jet overhead while Xi stood impassive. The moment circulated widely online and was not included in the edited highlights later released by Trump's aides.
"That was a great greeting, and I think they appreciate it," Trump told reporters after returning, according to Fox News.
Trade truce extended to January
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the extension of the so-called "Busan agreement," the temporary trade truce between the world's two largest economies reached during the leaders' meeting in South Korea in October 2025. Speaking to Fox News after meeting Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, Bessent said the arrangement would now run until 10 January, two months past its original expiry in November.
The Busan deal had rolled back or suspended a number of measures that fuelled the confrontation and gave negotiators time to address longer-term disputes. No breakthroughs on the core issues are expected from the visit.
AI rivalry looms over the summit
Beyond trade, the race to develop artificial intelligence is a central tension between the two powers. Trump has dismissed warnings about rapid AI development, arguing instead for greater investment so the United States can stay ahead of China.
"There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China. WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS!" Trump wrote on Truth Social last week.
The White House has invited executives from OpenAI, Apple, xAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta and other major technology firms to Thursday's state dinner for Xi. "The entire tech world, the entire banking world, and a lot more will be in attendance," Trump said.
Iran and Taiwan among the sticking points
Asked whether he would raise Iran with Xi, Trump said: "We'll see. I'll be talking about that and many other subjects, but it's also coming along well." US media have reported that Trump is expected to press Xi over China's alleged support for Iran, following a Wall Street Journal report that Tehran obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese entities before a July missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan that killed three US service members.
Taiwan and climate policy are also on the agenda, though the leaders' public programme is expected to be heavy on ceremony and light on substance.
Full schedule
The visit includes a formal South Lawn welcome, private tea, a gift exchange, a National Archives tour and a state dinner. The two leaders are also set to hold bilateral and expanded bilateral meetings at the White House.
Trump's decision to meet Xi at his plane rather than at the White House reflects the emphasis both sides have placed on the pageantry of the visit, which reciprocates the treatment Trump received during his own trip to China earlier this year.
"He's coming on our soil," Melania Trump said on Fox & Friends on Wednesday morning, "and we need to welcome them with the most respect."