Top Republican calls Xi 'brutal dictator'

A top Republican senator has harshly criticized President Donald Trump for lavishly welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping, revealing a rare dissent within Trump's own party as Xi arrives for a pivotal summit in Washington, according to Bloomberg. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated in a Senate floor speech on Tuesday that he would have advised against inviting Xi to Washington if the White House had sought his counsel.

Wicker expressed concerns over the state dinner planned for Xi, suggesting that it might be an opportunity for the president to discuss China's aggressive military expansion and its backing of Iran, among other pressing issues. Wicker urged Trump to address the plight of the Uyghur people and other human rights issues, as well as Taiwan, during his talks with Xi.

Wicker labeled Xi as a "brutal, unelected and oppressive dictator" whose military arsenal is directed against the United States. Xi's first visit to the White House in 11 years is scheduled for September 23-25, marking a historic milestone as he'll be the first Chinese leader to receive an invitation from a U.S. president since Barack Obama in 2015.

Trump will personally greet Xi at Joint Base Andrews, a departure from his custom of meeting foreign leaders at the White House. The summit, set to conclude on Friday, is expected to focus on trade and the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry in artificial intelligence.