On Wednesday evening, Donald Trump met with Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews in an unusual gesture as the United States and China kept their brief trade truce going. The reception featured a 100ft red carpet lined with US service members, a flight of two B-1 bombers overhead, and the display of both nations’ flags and anthems.
Usually, US presidents greet visiting world leaders at the White House. Instead, Trump and his wife Melania Trump went to a military base in Maryland to meet Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan face to face.
What made the meeting remarkable was that it departed from normal procedure. Rather than waiting for the Chinese leader to reach the White House, Trump opted to greet him at the base. The move served as a public declaration of the bond between the two nations, even as they remain embroiled in a bitter conflict over artificial intelligence.
The Red Carpet Welcome
An elaborate welcome awaited the arrival, with a red carpet stretching 100ft long placed between two rows of US service members. Overhead, two B-1 bombers took part in a military flyover. The flags and national anthems of both countries were then presented, marking the occasion.
On Wednesday, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived in the United States to begin their official visit, and Donald and Melania Trump personally shook their hands.
A video recorded the welcome, which included an instant when Trump flinched at the noise of a US military jet passing over. The flinching moment appeared on a White House livestream but did not make it into the edited highlights put out by Trump’s aides.
On Wednesday morning, Fox & Friends aired remarks from Melania Trump concerning the visit. She stated, “He’s coming on our soil,” and she also noted, “We need to welcome them with the most respect.”.
The Trade Truce Extension
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US and China have reached an agreement to keep the “Busan agreement” – a temporary trade truce – alive, with the arrangement now set to last until 10 January, which falls two months past its scheduled end date.
On Wednesday, Bessent met with Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng. The prolongation pushes the ceasefire’s duration to the start of next year.
The State Welcome and Dinner
The itinerary includes a formal welcome on the South Lawn of the White House, a private tea with the US president and first lady, and a tour of the National Archives.
Thursday saw the White House host a state dinner for Xi, with an invitation list that included tech leaders from companies such as OpenAI, Apple, xAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta and other firms.
The Wince on Livestream
During the ceremony, a US military jet flew overhead, and the livestream caught Trump wincing at the noise. Xi kept his composure alongside the wives of both men.
Trump’s visible reaction to the noise set him apart from Xi, who kept his calm throughout the exchange.
Trump’s Warning About AI
Last week, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying that “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! We are leading China, and all others, and will continue to do so.”.
Trump regards the contest with China in artificial intelligence as central to the future of the US economy and its standing in the world. The technology race is what he considers most important.
China and the United States are locked in a contest over the creation of artificial intelligence, with multiple business leaders raising alarms about the hazards of swift advancement.
The Competition Over AI
A great deal hangs in the balance here. The side that wins the contest between artificial intelligence systems stands to take on notable gains in both economic standing and strategic advantage.
Thursday’s White House dinner will serve as a key gathering for outside viewers to watch. Those invited include executives from some of the world’s largest companies.
Key Facts Box
- The “Busan agreement” trade truce was extended until 10 January, two months after it was due to expire
- The welcome included a 100ft long red carpet, two B-1 bomber flyover, and flags and anthems of both countries
- The invitees to Thursday’s state dinner include OpenAI, Apple, xAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, Meta and others
- Bessent met Chinese vice-premier He Lifeng earlier on Wednesday
Joint Base Andrews hosted a spectacle of a welcome for Xi. It was more than a reception; it was a statement. By choosing to greet Xi at the base, Trump signaled a readiness to engage with China even as he kept a firm position on the AI competition.
Extending the trade truce is a practical measure that keeps the economic relationship running smoothly.
The contest between these two nations’ artificial intelligence efforts serves as the setting for the visit. It is within that arena that the future of their relationship will unfold.
Source material: “Trump greets Xi Jinping on arrival in rare move as US-China trade truce extended,” The Guardian.
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