Trump greets Xi at Joint Base Andrews ahead of U.S.-China summit on trade, AI, Taiwan

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping in a rare welcome at a military base near Washington Wednesday, as Xi kicked off his three-day state visit to the U.S. capital for a summit on trade, artificial intelligence (AI), security and other key issues.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump gave Xi and Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan the rare welcome on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on the eve of the leaders' White House summit -- the third in-person meeting following their previous talks in Busan, South Korea, last October, and in Beijing in May.

His greeting upon arrival rather than at the presidential compound underscored the importance the American president attaches to the visit by the leader of the Asian superpower, as the high-stakes summit is set to feature crucial issues, such as the extension of a bilateral trade truce, AI safety and the security of Taiwan.

This week's summit is a crucial event for both leaders given that Trump seeks stable ties with Xi ahead of the November midterm elections, with Xi angling for good summit outcomes ahead of a key political gathering -- the fifth plenum of the Communist Party's Central Committee set for next month.

Xi last visited the U.S. capital in 2015.

Among the key agenda items for Thursday's summit is expected to be the two countries' trade truce, which is set to expire in November.

The U.S. and China reached the current truce during their summit in Busan last year, under which Washington agreed to suspend increased tariffs on Chinese goods, with Beijing suspending new export controls on rare earths and other critical minerals.

AI is expected to be another key topic for the Trump-Xi meeting as the two great powers have been caught in an intensifying competition over AI leadership amid growing safety and security concerns associated with the evolving technology.

Reports have said that the Trump administration has proposed the establishment of a "notification mechanism" for bilateral communication to discuss dangerous AI events with substantial security implications.

The upcoming summit is also expected to touch on the security of Taiwan, a self-governing democracy that China regards as part of its territory.

In addition, the leaders could also discuss North Korea-related issues as Trump intends to resume diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year.

Speculation has arisen that Trump could seek a meeting with Kim during his next trip to Asia, likely for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen in November.

During their Beijing summit, the leaders confirmed their shared goal to denuclearize North Korea, according to a White House fact sheet. But it remains uncertain whether the leaders reaffirmed the denuclearization goal at this week's talks given that both sides seek better ties with Pyongyang.

Before the summit, Trump and the first lady will host a state arrival ceremony for Xi and the Chinese first lady, which will be held on the South Lawn, State Floor and Rose Garden of the White House, and feature 479 military personnel, representing all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, according to the U.S. first lady's office.

The welcome ceremony will include a military review in the Rose Garden as well as a military flyover featuring a B-2 bomber and four F-22 fighter jets.

On Thursday evening, the U.S. president and first lady will greet Xi and the Chinese first lady at the North Portico of the White House for a state dinner in the East Room.

On Friday morning, the presidential couples will travel to the National Archives in Washington where they will view a variety of important records and documents significant to the U.S.-China relationship throughout history.