BEIJING (Web Desk) – Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Wednesday for a state visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday as the two sides seek to manage tensions over trade, technology and other strategic issues.Â
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Xi departed by special aircraft at the invitation of Trump. He is accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, senior official Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, among others.
The White House said Trump would greet Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday before the Chinese president attends a formal state arrival ceremony at the White House on Thursday. The programme also includes official talks and a state dinner hosted by Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
The summit comes as Washington and Beijing continue to address several areas of disagreement. Trade remains a central issue, with the two governments seeking to maintain stability following years of tariff disputes and negotiations over market access.
Artificial intelligence is also expected to feature prominently. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng have been discussing AI-related issues, including proposals for communication mechanisms and safeguards concerning emerging technologies. (Reuters)
Rare-earth minerals are another important issue in the talks. China plays a major role in global rare-earth supply chains, while US officials are seeking greater certainty over access to the critical materials used in advanced technology and manufacturing.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss Taiwan, Iran-related issues and other areas where Washington and Beijing have differing interests. Reuters reported that the summit comes amid continuing pressure over trade, Taiwan, Iran and artificial intelligence.
The visit is Xi’s first trip to Washington in more than a decade and follows Trump’s state visit to Beijing earlier this year. The White House has described the visit as a significant milestone in US-China relations.
Despite the extensive agenda, the talks are taking place against a backdrop of continuing disagreements between the world’s two largest economies. Recent reporting indicates that both sides are working on specific areas of cooperation while broader differences remain unresolved.
Xi’s visit is scheduled to continue through Friday, with further engagements planned before his departure from the United States. The outcome of the Washington discussions is expected to provide further indications of the direction of US-China relations on trade, technology and strategic matters.