Xi begins state visit to the United States
The Chinese president has arrived in Washington for three days of talks with Donald Trump on an increasingly competitive relationship.
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Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit to the United States. President Donald Trump personally welcomed him at Joint Base Andrews, with the formal reception and political talks to follow on Thursday.
The visit runs from 23 to 25 September, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports. Xi is travelling to the United States at Trump’s invitation; according to Beijing, the leaders will discuss Chinese-American relations and international issues.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump will receive Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at the White House on Thursday. A state ceremony, a military honour guard and a state dinner are scheduled there. On Friday, according to the White House, Xi will visit the National Archives before departing.
The visit also has a strong symbolic character. The White House says that Xi and Peng are being received there again for the first time in more than ten years. Reuters reported that Trump personally greeted Xi on his arrival at the military base near Washington, an unusual reception for a foreign leader.
Behind the ceremony, major disagreements remain. Reuters identifies trade, technology, Taiwan and Iran as issues putting pressure on the relationship. The United States and China are also competing for influence in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other strategic technologies.
The talks begin against the backdrop of a cautious stabilisation in the trade relationship. At the same time, export restrictions, access to critical raw materials and Taiwan’s position remain sources of tension. Both governments therefore have an interest in predictability, but disagree over the conditions required for it.
A major agreement is not to be expected. AP described the meeting beforehand as an attempt to keep the fragile relationship manageable, while Reuters pointed to possible agreements on individual trade sectors, combating drugs and military contact. These are expectations, not announced results.
The first measure of the visit is therefore not only the ceremony, but above all what Washington and Beijing concretely agree afterwards. Until joint decisions or verifiable agreements have been published, the reception mainly shows that both leaders want to maintain direct contact; it does not prove that the underlying conflicts have been resolved.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Xi Jinping is visiting the United States from 23 to 25 September 2026.
- Donald Trump received Xi on his arrival at Joint Base Andrews.
- The official programme includes a state ceremony, talks, a state dinner and a visit to the National Archives.
- Trade, technology, Taiwan and Iran are among the points of tension in the relationship.
Left
Arguments The priority is to reduce escalation and establish international rules for trade, technology and security. A meeting is valuable if it produces cooperation on climate, public health, AI safety and conflict management, not only if it produces commercial agreements.
Values International cooperation, multilateral rules, human rights and limiting military escalation.
Consequences A purely ceremonial visit without agreements could obscure the imbalance of power and existing tensions. Too little dialogue instead increases the risk of misunderstandings and economic or military escalation.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach means keeping contact open, managing disputes step by step and making only agreements that are verifiable and workable. Competition and cooperation can coexist.
Values Stability, predictability, diplomatic reciprocity and verifiable agreements.
Consequences Limited agreements on trade, communication between the militaries or combating drugs could reduce risks without either country having to abandon its fundamental position.
Right
Arguments The United States must negotiate from a position of strength and reduce its economic and technological dependence on China. A friendly reception must not mean that Washington gives ground on export controls, Taiwan or national security.
Values National sovereignty, deterrence, reciprocity and protecting strategic industries.
Consequences An overly conciliatory summit could signal to allies and adversaries that pressure works. At the same time, a hard line of confrontation could harm trade, companies and consumers if no room for negotiations remains.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts have been confirmed by Chinese and American government sources and by Reuters and AP. Expectations about possible agreements are presented in the text as expectations or uncertainties.
- confirmed Xi Jinping is visiting the United States from 23 to 25 September 2026. — This is stated in the announcement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. source
- confirmed Xi left Beijing on 23 September for the state visit. — The Chinese ministry reports that he departed by plane on 23 September. source
- confirmed Donald Trump received Xi at Joint Base Andrews. — Reuters describes the reception at the military base in Maryland. source
- confirmed A state ceremony and state dinner are scheduled for Thursday. — The White House published the official programme. source
- confirmed It is more than ten years since Xi and Peng visited the White House. — This is explicitly stated by the White House. source
- confirmed Trade, technology, Taiwan and Iran are points of tension in the relationship. — Reuters identifies these subjects as background to the visit. source
- confirmed AP described the talks beforehand as an attempt to stabilise the fragile relationship. — AP writes that both leaders are trying to stabilise the relationship and that no major agreement is expected. source
Editor's note
It is certain that Xi is in the United States from 23 to 25 September for a state visit and that Trump received him at Joint Base Andrews. The agenda and possible results of the talks are partly expectations from sources; at present, there is no confirmed new agreement on the underlying disputes.Sources
- Xi Jinping to Pay a State Visit to the United States — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
- Xi Jinping leaves Beijing for state visit to the United States — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
- Details ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit to the White House — The White House
- US says China trade truce extended as Trump welcomes Xi — Reuters via Internazionale
- Trump and Xi see tensions flare over AI, trade and Iran but still seek stability — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „china verenigde staten”
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- De Telegraaf — „china verenigde staten”