Trump to fete Xi with lavish White House welcome

US President Donald Trump is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday, as part of a day-long series of events aimed at maintaining peace between the world's two superpowers. Trump personally greeted Xi upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday, marking the first time since the 1960s that a US president welcomed a foreign political leader at this location.

The lavish welcome, which includes a formal welcome on the White House South Lawn, a military flyover, and a grand state banquet, aims to highlight the importance of cooperation between the two nations, despite underlying tensions. These tensions include the ongoing trade war, concerns over artificial intelligence, and Beijing's support for Iran.

During his visit, Xi has expressed a willingness to cooperate and engage in in-depth discussions on major issues affecting their bilateral relationship and the global situation. While a trade truce has been extended for two months, several key issues remain unresolved, and the summit is more focused on spectacle than substantive outcomes.

Trump and Xi will make remarks in the morning and evening, though it is unclear if there will be an opportunity for reporters to ask questions. The state dinner will feature contributions from top US tech and AI companies, although Xi's delegation does not include any CEOs. The agenda also includes discussions on Iran, AI, Taiwan, and other bilateral and global issues.