Trump, Xi seek to steady US-China economic ties

President Donald Trump expressed his "truly great friendship" with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the Chinese president's state visit to the United States. Despite numerous contentious issues, the two leaders focused on their collaboration to prevent friction between the world's two largest economies. The visit comes as China has resisted pressure from the Trump administration to influence Iran's participation in ending the nearly seven-month war.

Both Trump and Xi agreed to extend the one-year trade truce, which was set to expire on November 10, for an additional two months. Xi emphasized that the competition between China and the US should be healthy and within bounds, warning against the "Thucydides trap" of a rising power threatening an established one. He also invited 100,000 American youth for studies and exchanges in the next five years and announced the sending of two pandas to Atlanta's zoo as a symbol of friendship.

Trump, meanwhile, highlighted artificial intelligence, or "superintelligence," as a key topic, wary of its potential job displacement and global impact. The White House arranged an elaborate military review for the leaders and their spouses before the Oval Office talks. Despite the lavish welcome, the visit has drawn criticism from lawmakers and some White House allies, who argue that China's human rights record and other troubling issues warrant a more restrained approach.