Trump welcomes Xi to Washington as US and China seek to extend trade truce

Washington, United States. President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday for a three-day visit expected to test relations between the two countries. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said they had reached a deal to extend an 11-month trade truce, though major breakthroughs were not expected.

Arrival and trade talks

Trump greeted Xi at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after his arrival for his first US visit in nearly three years. The leaders and their wives shook hands, spoke briefly and posed for photographs as a military band played, cannons fired and a B-1 bomber flew overhead.

According to C-SPAN, which tracks presidential events, it was the first time in 11 years that a US president had greeted a foreign leader at the base. The previous such reception was for Pope Francis in 2015, during Barack Obama’s presidency.

Bessent told Fox News’ “Special Report” that the trade deal would extend the truce through January 10. It had been due to expire on November 10. China’s embassy in Washington had no immediate comment on the deal.

“China and the United States should be partners, not rivals,” Xi said in a written statement released by the embassy. The statement did not refer to a trade deal.

Differences remain

Even a limited agreement could calm global markets shaken by a 2025 tariff war that brought triple-digit levies between the world’s two largest economies. The countries remain divided over export controls on rare-earth minerals and computer chips, China’s ties with Iran and US support for Taiwan.

The visit comes as Trump faces public discontent with his war on Iran. Xi faces challenges at home but arrives with China’s trade engine performing strongly. Some Republicans regard Beijing as an existential threat and are wary of Trump’s friendly outreach to China’s ruling Communist Party.