Trump welcomes Xi Jinping in Washington for talks on trade, technology and Iran

WASHINGTON, Sept 24:  US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday as Xi arrived in Washington for a three-day state visit focused on US-China relations, trade, technology and other major global issues.

Trump and Xi stood together at the end of a red carpet as US and Chinese flags were displayed behind them. A US Air Force band played the two countries’ national anthems while cannons fired during the arrival ceremony.

Two B-1 bombers also flew over the airbase as Xi was welcomed by Trump.

Xi’s visit comes as Washington and Beijing seek to manage tensions over trade and technology while addressing a range of economic issues. US officials said trade, rare earth minerals and artificial intelligence are expected to feature prominently in the leaders’ discussions.

Trump told reporters at the White House that he would discuss Iran with Xi, along with other issues.

“I’ll be talking about that and many other subjects, but it’s all coming along, including that,” Trump said when asked whether Iran would be on the agenda.

Trump was also asked about his counterterrorism director’s description of fentanyl trafficking from China as “war by other means.” He said the situation was “not good” and pointed to tariffs and other penalties imposed on China.

Trump is scheduled to host Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan at the White House on Thursday for a state arrival ceremony, followed by a military review in the Rose Garden and bilateral talks.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will also host Xi and Peng at a state dinner in the East Room on Thursday evening. The two couples are scheduled to meet again at the White House on Friday before Xi departs Washington.

Trump said his meeting with Xi would involve “a lot of different deals” and predicted they would have a “very good meeting.”

He also said the United States and China “get along very well,” while highlighting tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump said US tariffs on Chinese goods had previously reached 145% before being reduced, describing the earlier level as “really hurting them badly.”

Several prominent US business leaders are expected to attend Thursday’s state dinner, including Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Michael Dell, Jensen Huang, Sam Altman, Jane Fraser and Tim Cook, according to a senior US official.

Xi’s visit marks his first state visit to Washington in more than a decade.