WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2026 — President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States on Wednesday, beginning a three-day state visit expected to focus on trade, technology, Taiwan, Iran and other major issues shaping relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump personally greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, after their arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The leaders walked along a red carpet during a high-profile airport welcome ahead of formal talks at the White House.
The visit comes as Washington and Beijing have agreed to extend their existing trade truce by two months. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the extension provides additional time for the two countries to work toward a broader trade agreement.
Trade and Technology in Focus
Trade is expected to be one of the central issues when Trump and Xi hold formal discussions Thursday.
The two governments continue to face disagreements involving tariffs, access to advanced semiconductor technology, critical minerals and other trade restrictions. Artificial intelligence is also expected to feature in the discussions as the United States and China compete for leadership in advanced technologies.
Taiwan is another major issue surrounding the summit, alongside China’s relationships with Iran and Russia.
Despite the long list of issues, expectations for a sweeping agreement remain limited. The talks could instead focus on maintaining stability between Washington and Beijing while making progress on specific economic and security disputes.
Formal Trump-Xi Meeting Set for Thursday
The main White House portion of Xi’s visit is scheduled for Thursday, September 24.
Trump and the first lady are expected to host a formal State Arrival Ceremony. The program is scheduled to include military demonstrations and a flyover involving a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22 Raptors. A state dinner is also planned for Thursday evening.
The visit is scheduled to continue Friday, when Trump, Xi and their wives are expected to visit the National Archives before the Chinese delegation concludes its trip.
The summit represents the second face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi this year, following their meeting in Beijing in May.
With trade, technology and security disputes still unresolved, Thursday’s discussions will be closely watched for any agreements or signs of how Washington and Beijing intend to manage their relationship in the months ahead.