Trump gives Xi a rare personal welcome at airport

Analysts are praising the warm welcome extended by US President Donald Trump to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as China and the United States have agreed to extend a trade truce that was set to expire in November. This extension, running through January 10, signifies a positive start to Chinese President Xi's state visit, despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two nations.

The two-month trade truce extension, a move that outpaces expectations, is viewed by John Gong, a University of International Business and Economics professor, as a sign that both sides can manage their differences effectively. This proposal was made following an unscheduled meeting between Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the World Bank headquarters in Washington.

Bessent affirmed the possibility of a "bigger deal" on trade, echoing the sentiment of an eight-hour discussion held the previous day in New York.

This move, hailed for its unparalleled respect by former Harvard Kennedy School dean Graham Allison, marked a significant shift in diplomatic protocol. Trump's personal greeting at the airbase, including a 21-gun salute, a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-person honor cordon, and a flyover by two B-1 Lancer bombers, has not been extended to any other foreign leader, including Trump's Chinese counterpart during Trump's previous visit to Beijing.

This unprecedented welcome, seen as a strong signal of the Trump administration's new China policy, has been met with mixed reactions in Washington. Senate Democrats have expressed concerns over the warm reception, warning it may undermine US leverage over Beijing on various issues, including artificial intelligence and manufacturing.