U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during a high-profile state visit aimed at highlighting cooperation between the world’s two largest economies. The visit included a formal arrival ceremony, military honours, bilateral talks and a state dinner.
The White House welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, with a formal ceremony featuring U.S. and Chinese flags, military personnel and a military review. The event also included performances by U.S. military units and a flyover involving a B-2 Spirit and four F-22 Raptors.
Trump and Xi later held talks covering several major issues in the U.S.-China relationship. Trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, critical minerals and the conflict involving Iran were among the subjects discussed. The meeting came as both countries continue to compete in technology and seek to manage disagreements over trade and strategic issues.
Trade remained an important part of the discussions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two countries had extended their existing trade truce by two months. The extension gives Washington and Beijing additional time to negotiate issues including tariffs, Chinese purchases, rare-earth supplies and technology restrictions.
Iran was another sensitive issue. China has maintained economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, while the United States is involved in the ongoing conflict with the country. Xi raised the issue during his talks with Trump and called for the United States and Iran to return to negotiations, according to reports.
The two leaders also discussed artificial intelligence and technology. Xi stressed the importance of keeping AI development under human control, while both countries face growing competition over advanced technologies and AI capabilities.
Despite these differences, Trump publicly highlighted his relationship with Xi and described their meeting positively. Xi also called for cooperation while stressing that competition between the two countries should remain within limits.
The day ended with a formal state dinner hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in the White House East Room. The event brought together members of the official delegations, government officials and prominent business leaders. The menu combined American ingredients with subtle Chinese influences, while the entertainment included performances by U.S. military musicians and classical tenor Christopher Macchio.
The visit highlighted the contrast between diplomatic ceremony and continuing disagreements between Washington and Beijing. While both governments have shown interest in maintaining dialogue and economic stability, issues involving trade, technology, Taiwan and Iran continue to shape the relationship.