President Donald Trump is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington on Thursday for a closely watched summit that could shape the next phase of relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Xi arrived in Washington on Wednesday and received a rare planeside welcome from Trump at Joint Base Andrews ahead of talks at the White House.
The meeting comes after U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to extend their current trade truce by two months. The agreement had been scheduled to expire on November 10, but the extension gives Washington and Beijing additional time to negotiate a broader trade deal.
Trade Takes Center Stage
Trade is expected to dominate the discussions.
The United States and China have spent years battling over tariffs, exports and access to key technologies. While tensions remain, both governments have recently sought to prevent their economic rivalry from escalating further.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the latest extension followed talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
AI, Taiwan and Iran Also on the Agenda
The meeting extends far beyond trade.
Artificial intelligence and access to advanced computer chips remain major points of disagreement between Washington and Beijing.
Taiwan is another sensitive issue, with China opposing U.S. arms sales and Washington continuing to maintain close unofficial relations with the island.
The ongoing conflict involving Iran is also expected to feature in discussions. Washington has sought greater Chinese cooperation in efforts to pressure Tehran, while Beijing has called for diplomacy and de-escalation.
What Happens Next?
Despite the high-profile state visit, neither side has guaranteed a major breakthrough.
The summit could nevertheless provide important signals about whether Washington and Beijing can stabilize their relationship and make progress on trade while managing disagreements over technology and global security.
With the U.S.–China relationship affecting everything from consumer prices and technology to global energy markets, investors and governments around the world will be closely watching what Trump and Xi announce after their talks.