Trump to fete Xi with lavish White House welcome

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday, marking a day of grandeur and diplomatic gestures aimed at maintaining peace between the two superpowers. Trump personally greeted Xi upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the first time in over six decades that a U.S. president has welcomed a foreign political leader at this location.

The lavish welcome includes a formal welcome on the White House South Lawn, a military flyover, talks in the Oval Office, and a grand state banquet.

However, beneath the surface of this grand welcome lie deep tensions. Key issues include the ongoing trade war, artificial intelligence, and Beijing's support for Iran. Xi, during his arrival, emphasized the need for cooperation, stating that China and the U.S. should be partners rather than rivals. He expressed his anticipation for in-depth exchanges with Trump on major bilateral issues and global affairs.

A positive development for both nations is the extension of a two-month trade truce, initially set to expire in November. Both sides are eager to avoid re-entering the trade war triggered by Trump's global tariffs last year. Despite Trump's optimism about achieving results from his "great relationship" with Xi, few breakthroughs are anticipated. Their third meeting since Trump's presidency aims to sustain the broader detente amidst underlying tensions.

The program includes a military inspection in the Rose Garden, a gift-giving ceremony involving Trump's wife Melania and Xi's wife Peng Liyuan, and remarks in the morning and evening. However, it remains unclear if reporters will be allowed to ask questions to the two leaders. The state dinner will feature top U.S. tech and AI company executives, though Xi's delegation will not include any CEOs.

The agenda also covers the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran deal, tensions over Taiwan, and the ongoing race for supremacy in artificial intelligence. The summit, set to conclude on Friday morning with a tea ceremony at the White House and a visit to the National Archives, emphasizes spectacle over substance.