Trump welcomes Xi to Washington for high-stakes US-China summit

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington for a high-stakes three-day state visit. The summit aimed to tackle pressing issues such as trade, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and the ongoing conflict with Iran. Upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Trump and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted with rare diplomatic protocol.

The primary bilateral meeting is scheduled for Thursday at the White House. Throughout the visit, the presidents will participate in a state dinner, a military ceremony featuring flyovers, and a visit to the National Archives. This trip follows Trump's May visit to China, where they discussed tensions surrounding Taiwan.

The summit unfolds during a crucial period for Trump, as he strives to bring an end to the war with Iran and battles a decline in voter approval. The conflict has caused disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in elevated global energy prices that may impact the upcoming midterm elections in November. The US is keen on China, Iran's largest oil importer, leveraging its influence to exert pressure on Tehran.

Thus far, the Trump administration has refrained from imposing sanctions on China concerning its dealings with Iran. Experts suggest that China is more inclined to encourage de-escalation and expects the US to demonstrate greater restraint. During his UN General Assembly speech on Tuesday, Trump emphasized the rivalry in the global AI industry, emphasizing that whoever gains control of superintelligence would emerge victorious.

He stated, "That's the group that wins and we're leading now over China, by a lot, and everyone else." The summit will also address critical minerals and rare-earth supplies, serving as a significant point of leverage in the US-China relationship. The US seeks to ease China's restrictions on rare-earth exports, while China aims to maintain its dominance in the production of materials used in technology and defense.

President Xi is expected to raise the issue of Taiwan, a matter which the US continues to support with defensive measures, while China opposes it as a violation of its sovereignty.