Trump and Xi discuss Taiwan, trade and technology at White House summit

Washington, United States. US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a state summit focused on presenting stable ties despite disagreements over artificial intelligence, trade, Taiwan and the war with Iran. It was Xi’s first visit to Washington in more than a decade and the leaders’ second meeting this year.

Taiwan and arms sales

Xi urged the US to oppose “Taiwan independence” during a bilateral meeting, according to a readout issued shortly afterward by China’s official Xinhua news agency. The White House did not immediately release its own account of the discussion.

Xi had been expected to press Trump this week to halt arms sales to Taiwan. After visiting China in May, Trump said he was holding in abeyance an arms package for Taiwan worth about $14 billion, calling it a “very good negotiating chip.”

That decision raised concerns among some US allies in Asia and some Republicans that Trump might soften Washington’s support for Taipei in exchange for economic gains with China. Beijing claims Taiwan, a democratically governed island that relies on US power to counter Chinese threats. The US supports Taiwan but has traditionally avoided taking an official position on its independence.

Trade, technology and military dialogue

Earlier Thursday, Trump described his relationship with Xi as a “truly great friendship” and said the two countries had made progress on trade since his May visit to China. He said the leaders would also discuss security, technology and “super intelligence,” his term for artificial intelligence, adding that their decisions could shape peace and prosperity for decades.

Xi said US-China competition should be “healthy.” He said US companies were welcome in China and expressed hope that Chinese companies would be treated fairly in the United States. He also called for regular dialogue between the two militaries to improve crisis prevention.

“The Thucydides trap can be overcome,” Xi said, referring to the theory that rivalry between a rising power and an established one can escalate into conflict.