Trump and Xi meet in Washington for state visit amid trade, AI, and geopolitical tensions

Mark Hallam | Felix Tamsut with Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa

Published 09/24/2026Published September 24, 2026

The presidents of the world's two largest economies are in Washington for what Donald Trump has billed a "big day." Bilateral trade, AI and geopolitics are all on the menu, as the UN General Assembly convenes nearby.

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Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

Donald Trump welcomed his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to Washington for a multi-day state visit

This is Xi's first state visit to the US in a decade

Trade, AI, Taiwan, Ukraine and Iran are key issues to be discussed

Follow along here for live updates on Xi's state visit to the US:

Skip next section Trump, Xi set for talks and a state dinner on Thursday

09/24/2026September 24, 2026

Trump, Xi set for talks and a state dinner on Thursday

Welcome back as police and security staff in Washington gear up for an even higher-profile day than usual on Thursday.

Talks between leaders of the US and China on Thursday are set to culminate in a state dinner at the White House this evening, attended by various tech executives.

US President Donald Trump told his online acolytes that a "big day with President Xi of China" beckoned in his first social media utterance on Thursday.

He said that artificial intelligence or machine learning would "be a big topic of discussion."

But, mirroring his comments at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said he wanted to "leave it exactly where it is."

He said that the US' "guardrail" for AI was its own Department of Justice, implying little interest in international or cooperative efforts to guard against any potential risks.

"That is China's position also," Trump asserted, though Xi Jinping is expected to deliver remarks of his own later.

Meanwhile, early morning reports from Washington suggest the White House was yet to react to the overnight court order demanding that it allow reporters from CNN, MSNOW and Politico back into the building, at least temporarily pending closer evalution of the case.

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Skip next section We're pausing our coverage for now

09/24/2026September 24, 2026

We're pausing our coverage for now

The main summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping is scheduled for Thursday.

There's a state dinner as well in the evening, with both leaders expected to deliver speeches.

Top US tech executives are expected to attend the dinner, suggesting that artificial intelligence will be a big topic of discussion.

https://p.dw.com/p/5NAw7

Skip next section China, US should be 'partners rather than rivals' — Xi

09/24/2026September 24, 2026

China, US should be 'partners rather than rivals' — Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for cooperation with the US, Beijing's state news agency Xinhua reported.

"Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals," Xi said in a written statement published by Xinhua.

"The Chinese and US peoples have enjoyed long-standing friendly exchanges, and our interests are deeply intertwined," Xi added.

Xi was welcomed in Washington with a red carpet and military flyover.

In remarks published by Xinhua, Xi also said he looked forward to "in-depth exchanges" with Trump on "major issues concerning our bilateral relations and the global situation."

https://p.dw.com/p/5NAvB

Skip next section Trump wants Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai to be freed from prison — report

09/24/2026September 24, 2026

Trump wants Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai to be freed from prison — report

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Washington to a rare planeside welcome from his US counterpart, Donald Trump.

As Xi walked down a long red carpet on the airport tarmac, a White House spokesperson said that Trump believes Hong Kongdemocracy advocate Jimmy Lai should be released from prison and "wants to see that happen," the DPA news agency reported.

"The United States urges the authorities to grant Mr. Lai humanitarian parole," DPA quoted the spokesperson as saying.

Lai, a 78-year-old media tycoon, was sentenced to 20 years in prison earlier in the year under the National Security Law that China imposed in 2020 following massive pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

At a congressional hearing in Washington last week, Lai's son, Sebastien, repeated his appeal for his father's release.

Trump raised the issue of Lai's release when he met Xi in Beijing in May, but the US leader said the Chinese president told him Lai's case "would be a tough one."

On Tuesday, US outlet Politico reported that British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked Trump to discuss the release of Lai, who is a British citizen, with Xi.

https://p.dw.com/p/5NAux

Skip next section US, China to extend trade truce through January 2, Scott Bessent says

09/24/2026September 24, 2026

US, China to extend trade truce through January 2, Scott Bessent says

The US and China have agreed to extend their trade truce by two months, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump.

"We have agreed today that we will extend what we call the Busan Agreement, the economic detente between the two countries that was scheduled to end on November 10th," Bessent told Fox News.

The extension of the one-year trade truce buys both sides more time to negotiate.

A new chapter in US-China rivalry

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Skip next section IN PHOTOS: Trump welcomes China's Xi to United States

09/24/2026September 24, 2026

IN PHOTOS: Trump welcomes China's Xi to United States

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Skip next section Trump hosts Xi in Washington: What to expect

09/24/2026September 24, 2026

Trump hosts Xi in Washington: What to expect

Chinese President Xi Jinping's plane landed in Washington for his state visit to the US, which will include a meeting and state dinner with Donald Trump on Thursday.

Unlike with other leaders, Trump honored Xi by welcoming him at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington rather than waiting for him at the White House.

The greeting, which included a red carpet lined by US service members and a military flyover, kicks off the Chinese leader's three-day visit to Washington.

Additional fanfare during the trip is due to include a state dinner with tech executives and a visit to the National Archives, where the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution are housed.

Expectations for a breakthrough during Xi's visit were slim.

Despite their deep disagreements, the two world leaders went ahead with their summit that analysts say is meant to project stability on the world stage.

The issues the two will discuss are expected to include trade, artificial intelligence, as well as the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

Xi will also likely press Trump on Taiwan, a topic Washington would prefer to avoid, while Trump will likely maintain firm US export controls despite Xi's objections.

How the US and China could end the AI race

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