Trump greets China’s Xi Jinping on arrival for three-day US

United States President Donald Trump warmly welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping upon his arrival in the United States for a three-day visit. The focus of the trip was on various subjects, including security, trade, and technology. On Wednesday, Trump made history by personally meeting Xi at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the first time a U.S. president had done so with a Chinese leader in recent memory.

The welcoming ceremony on the tarmac featured a red carpet and handshakes between the leaders, as well as a gunfire salute and the U.S. national anthem. They proceeded side by side, accompanied by U.S. soldiers, before raising their salute for the anthem. This in-person greeting underscores the significance both Washington and Beijing place on their relationship, with China's rapid economic growth over recent decades raising it to the status of a global superpower capable of competing with the United States.

Despite strained relations that intensified after the Trump administration imposed high tariffs on Chinese goods, which were reciprocated by Beijing, Trump has shown a personal affinity for Xi and a desire for robust ties with China. The Chinese president's itinerary includes a state dinner with leaders of China's influential tech sector, a military ceremony at the White House, and a visit to the National Archives, where historical documents such as the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence are kept.

However, both nations remain cautious of each other as they vie for political and economic influence. During the trip, discussions are expected to encompass topics like the U.S. war on Iran, trade, technology, rare-earth minerals, and U.S. relations with Taiwan, an island that China claims as its own territory.