Xi Jinping arrives in Washington calling for partnership with U.S. ahead of Trump talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States on September 23 for a three-day state visit, declaring that China and America "should be partners, not rivals" as he prepares for crucial talks with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan received an unusually warm welcome at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, where Trump personally greeted them on the tarmac. U.S. presidents typically do not extend such gestures to foreign heads of state, highlighting Trump's interest in cultivating relations with the Chinese leader. The couple is accompanied by senior Chinese officials including Communist Party General Office director Cai Qi and foreign minister Wang Yi.
This visit marks Xi's first state visit to Washington since 2015, ending a decade-long gap in official visits to the U.S. capital by China's top leader. The main talks between the two presidents are scheduled for September 24.
Third meeting in less than a year
The Washington summit represents the third face-to-face meeting between Xi and Trump in just eleven months. The two leaders first met in October 2025 in Busan, South Korea, marking their first direct encounter in six years since the 2019 G20 summit in Osaka. That Busan meeting produced agreements on trade cooperation, including China's commitment to resume soybean imports and strengthen anti-fentanyl cooperation.
Trump then traveled to Beijing in May 2026 for a state visit, his second to China and the first during his second presidency, having previously visited in November 2017. During the May summit, the two sides agreed to establish what Xi termed a "Constructive Strategic and Stable Relationship," though the exact meaning of this diplomatic framework remains undefined. Washington's acceptance of Beijing's preferred terminology marked an unusual shift in diplomatic language.
Stakes and expected agenda
In a statement marking his arrival, Xi emphasized the potential for mutual benefit between the world's two largest economies.
Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and restoring America's greatness can go hand in hand, and the two countries can contribute to each other's success, thereby benefiting the entire world.
The September 24 discussions are expected to address multiple complex issues. Taiwan remains a central point of contention, with Xi anticipated to press Trump to halt U.S. arms sales to the island. During the May Beijing summit, China urged Washington to stop such transfers, and Trump subsequently paused a $14 billion arms package.
Other topics on the agenda include Iran and Beijing's efforts to circumvent U.S. sanctions, trade and investment disputes, rare earth export controls, and artificial intelligence safety measures. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has separately asked Trump to involve Xi in efforts to pressure Russia to end its war against Ukraine.
Cultural diplomacy
Beyond the formal negotiations, the state visit includes diplomatic and cultural elements designed to strengthen bilateral ties. On September 25, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host a tea party for Xi and Peng at the White House. The two couples will then visit the National Archives together to view founding documents of the United States, a symbolic gesture intended to highlight shared values and historical appreciation.
The intensive diplomatic engagement between the two leaders over the past year reflects both the importance and complexity of U.S.-China relations, as the world's two largest economies navigate competing interests while seeking areas of cooperation.
