US-China Extend Trade Truce; Trump and Xi Strike Warm Note at White House

The United States and China have agreed to extend their bilateral trade truce by two months, as President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House and both leaders struck an upbeat tone on relations between the two powers.

The extension moves the truce’s expiry from November 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. It accompanied a visit marked by talks on the direction of US-China ties, calls for cooperation on advanced technology and an elaborate diplomatic welcome, including a state dinner and a tour of Marine One.

Xi, on a three-day visit to the United States, said his discussions with Trump had produced a common understanding on several issues. Trump, meanwhile, said the two countries had “never gotten along better”, while acknowledging the differences between their political systems.

Trade Truce Extended as Technology Features in Talks

The additional two months prolong the bilateral trade truce as Washington and Beijing navigate differences over tariffs, technological controls and regional security.

Trade, technology, critical minerals and broader bilateral relations featured on the visit’s agenda. Trump also identified security and advanced artificial intelligence as areas in which decisions by the two governments could have lasting consequences.

“During this visit, we will also discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology, and Super Intelligence (SI). The decisions we make in these areas today can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come,” Trump said.

“If we focus on our common interests, I am confident there is much we can achieve.”

Xi called for healthy competition, greater mutual trust and joint management of artificial intelligence, urging the two governments to “steer the giant ship of China–US relationship on a steady course”.

Xi Says Talks Produced ‘Common Understanding’

At the state dinner on Thursday, Xi described his exchanges with Trump as “sincere and in-depth” and said they had provided fresh direction for bilateral ties.

“Today, President Trump and I had sincere and in-depth exchanges and reached a common understanding on many issues. This has added new substance to the constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability and provided new strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations,” he said.

Xi recalled Trump’s visit to China in May, when, he said, the two leaders had agreed to build a constructive relationship based on strategic stability. His own visit followed an invitation extended by Trump during that trip.

“In less than half a year, the Chinese and American presidents have exchanged state visits, making history in our bilateral engagement,” Xi said.

The remarks did not detail the understandings reached on individual issues.

‘Beautiful Flowers of Sino-US Friendship’

Xi used his dinner address to call for stronger ties between the Chinese and American people, thanking Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for their hospitality to him and his wife, Peng Liyuan.

He said the arrangements reflected “meticulous care and consideration in every detail” and had made them feel at home.

“Like a river that never stops flowing, history never stands still. The friendship between the two peoples is a worthy cause that holds great promise,” Xi said.

“Let us join hands and move forward side by side. Together, let us nurture the beautiful flowers of Sino-US friendship. Together, let us write a new chapter in our friendly relations.”

Trump reciprocated, recalling the welcome he had received in Beijing and expressing hope that Washington would extend the same honour to the Chinese delegation.

“As the leaders of our two nations, President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure, and we’ve never gotten along better,” he said.

A Bald Eagle Gift and a Marine One Tour

The diplomatic welcome included a roughly three-foot-tall bald eagle statue, which Trump presented to Xi at the state dinner.

According to Trump, an American artist created the statue in personal collaboration with him and Melania Trump. He described the eagle as a national symbol embodying America’s “free and soaring spirit”.

“We hope it’ll find a nice place, a wonderful place in Beijing,” he said.

Earlier, Trump took Xi around the White House South Lawn, showing him Marine One, the helicopter used by the US president, and the newly constructed helipad.

The two delegations also met in the Oval Office. Senior Chinese officials accompanying Xi included Vice Premier He Lifeng, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, senior Communist Party official Cai Qi, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and China’s ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng.

With inputs from ANI