Trump welcomes Xi to Washington looking for a trade win
BA•Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for a summit where a trade-truce extension and AI discussions are expected, but major breakthroughs are not. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said negotiators agreed to extend the agreement pausing the trade war until January 10.
1. Summit expectations
Trump welcomed Xi to the White House for a state summit focused on projecting stable ties despite deep tensions between the two countries. Analysts expect limited tangible results, potentially including an extension of the trade truce and an agreement to examine AI threats; Trump said he did not expect substantive policy moves on AI.
2. Trade and tensions
Bessent said the agreement pausing a trade war, in which mutual tariffs topped 100%, would be extended until January 10. The leaders may also discuss tariff reductions, drug trafficking and military dialogue. Disputes over Taiwan, export controls and AI remain unresolved, while Trump is expected to maintain firm U.S. technology export controls.
3. Possible trade deals
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the countries would make announcements on agriculture and non-tariff barriers. Greer also said China was making progress on a commitment to buy 200 Boeing aircraft, without indicating that additional orders were near.
