President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House for a high-profile state visit centered on AI safety, trade, Taiwan, Iran and critical minerals. Trump praised a personal "truly great friendship," while Xi urged healthy, bounded competition and fair treatment for Chinese firms in the U.S. The visit included a state dinner with major tech and business figures and the announcement that two pandas, Ping‑Ping and Fu Shuang, will go to Zoo Atlanta.
Trump Hails 'Truly Great Friendship' With Xi During High-Stakes State Visit Focused On AI, Trade And Taiwan
Trump touts 'truly great friendship' with China's Xi amid high-stakes state visit
President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House Thursday in a formal arrival ceremony that preceded a day of private talks and a state dinner. The visit — the first time a Chinese leader has made a second formal U.S. state visit — carries significant diplomatic weight amid tensions over Taiwan, Iran, trade and emerging technologies.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump stands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an arrival ceremony at the White House, September 24, 2026 in Washington.
In the Grand Foyer, Mr. Trump emphasized the personal rapport he said he and Mr. Xi have built since 2016. He called their relationship "a truly great friendship" and highlighted progress on trade, including increased market access for American farmers and ranchers.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with President Donald Trump during an arrival ceremony at the White House, September 24, 2026 in Washington.
“From the time of my first election in 2016, President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually, built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people,” Mr. Trump said.
The agenda for the leaders' private meeting covered a wide range of strategic topics: artificial intelligence safety and governance, Taiwan, trade relations, the Iran conflict and cooperation on critical minerals. Mr. Trump framed technology — including what he called "super intelligence" — as an area where decisions made now could affect global peace and prosperity for decades.
Evan Vucci/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump listens to Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering remarks at the White House in Washington, September 24, 2026.
Speaking through a consecutive translator, President Xi thanked his hosts for the warm reception and urged that competition between the United States and China be "healthy and bounded." He called for fair treatment of Chinese companies operating in the U.S. and stressed shared responsibility on AI.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, September 24, 2026.
“Both China and the United States are leading nations in artificial intelligence. We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good, and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well‑being of the people,” Xi said via translation.
Xi framed cooperation as essential to tackling global challenges, while acknowledging differences in national systems. He also highlighted sustained personal contact with Mr. Trump and said candid, continued dialogue can help build mutual trust and find common ground.
In a lighter moment that drew smiles at the White House, Xi announced that two giant pandas — Ping‑Ping and Fu Shuang — will travel to Zoo Atlanta as symbols of friendship.
State Dinner And Guests
That evening, the Trumps hosted a state dinner in the East Room for President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Reported guests included prominent technology and business leaders such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, Jensen Huang, Sam Altman, Jane Fraser and Michael Dell. Tim Cook was also reported among attendees after recently stepping down as Apple's CEO.
On Friday, the Xi delegation was scheduled to join the Trumps for a private tea and a tour of the National Archives to view historic documents before departing later that day.
Context And Takeaways
The visit comes amid ongoing friction on trade and security issues but also at a moment when both capitals face pressure to manage technological competition responsibly—particularly around AI. Public remarks emphasized cooperation and the need to keep rivalry within constructive limits, while private talks were expected to address the most sensitive matters directly.
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