Xi Jinping arrives in US for high-stakes visit, Trump offers warm welcome

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday for a state visit, receiving a personal welcome from U.S. President Donald Trump, an honor not extended to foreign leaders since 1962. The arrival marked a significant moment in Sino-American relations, underscoring the emphasis Trump is placing on this diplomatic engagement. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were greeted by Trump and Melania Trump after their Air China plane touched down.

This personal reception by Trump, who was accompanied by two supersonic B-1 bombers flying overhead, is unusual. Former President John F. Kennedy personally welcomed British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan at the base in 1962, a historical precedent highlighting the gravity of Xi's visit. Melania Trump stated that the decision for Trump to personally greet Xi was due to their “great relationship.”

Xi, accompanied by top officials including Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expressed optimism about the visit. In a statement released by China’s state news agency Xinhua, Xi described both China and the U.S. as “great nations” with “great people,” advocating for the two countries to be “partners rather than rivals.” He added that the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again” can coexist and mutually benefit the world. He expressed confidence that the visit would yield “fruitful results.”

Coinciding with Xi's arrival, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the U.S. and China have agreed to extend their trade truce until January. The current agreement, which involves reduced tariffs on some goods from China in exchange for eased restrictions on rare earth minerals, was originally set to expire on November 10. Bessent met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to discuss the possibility of a more substantial future trade deal.

Xi's visit occurs amid a noticeable shift in American public opinion towards China. A recent poll by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs indicated a decrease in the percentage of Americans viewing China’s territorial ambitions as a threat, down from 52% in 2022 to 41%. A majority of Americans, 57%, now believe the U.S. should cooperate with Beijing, a sentiment shared across the political spectrum, including most Democrats and Republicans not identifying with the MAGA movement. However, a majority of Trump’s base, 63%, favor limiting relations with China, presenting a potential divergence from the administration's welcoming approach.

Melania Trump has played a role in planning the itinerary, which includes a visit for Peng Liyuan to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, intended to showcase cultural connections. The visit is scheduled to conclude on Friday with a viewing of significant historical records related to American-Chinese relations at the National Archives building.

Leaders from U.S. artificial intelligence companies are expected to attend a state dinner on Thursday. This comes as both nations are in a race to achieve dominance in the AI sector, a field Trump has previously dismissed as a "hoax."