Trump Welcomes Xi Jinping as US-China Trade Truce Gets Two-Month Extension
US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States, days after Washington and Beijing agreed to extend their trade truce by two months. The three-day state visit will include White House talks, military ceremonies and a state dinner, with Iran also expected to feature in discussions.
Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, received Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at Joint Base Andrews. US Air Force B-1 Lancer supersonic bombers flew overhead during the welcome.
“That was a great greeting, and I think they appreciate it,” Trump told reporters after the reception.
A Longer Trade Truce
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently announced that the two countries had agreed to extend their bilateral trade truce, which was originally due to expire in November, according to Fox News.
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Known as the “Busan agreement”, the arrangement was reached in October 2025 to ease economic tensions between the two countries. Its extension provides the backdrop to Xi’s visit, which marks his second summit with Trump in less than six months.
Trump said prominent figures from business would attend the state dinner.
“The entire tech world, the entire banking world, and a lot more will be in attendance at tomorrow night’s state dinner for Chinese President Xi,” he said. “I wish we had more seats.”
Iran on the Agenda
Asked whether he would discuss Iran with Xi, Trump said: “We’ll see. I’ll be talking about that and many other subjects, but it’s also coming along well — including that.”
Fox News reported that Trump was expected to confront Xi over China’s support for Iran, following allegations involving satellite imagery supplied by Chinese entities.
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials familiar with the matter, reported that Iran had obtained high-resolution satellite images of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan from Chinese entities before a July 17 Iranian missile attack. The attack killed three US service members and wounded four others, according to the report.
White House Engagements
According to the White House schedule, Thursday’s engagements include an arrival ceremony, remarks by the two presidents, a gift exchange and military reviews.
Trump and Xi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, followed by expanded talks in the Cabinet Room. The evening programme includes remarks at the East Room and a state dinner hosted by Trump and the First Lady.
Xi is visiting the United States at Trump’s invitation.
With inputs from ANI