Xi Urges US-China Restraint As Trump Hosts Lavish White House Welcome

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping put peace and managing U.S.-China rivalry at the center of a lavish White House state visit on Thursday.

Behind the ceremony, their talks were set to confront some of the most difficult points in the relationship, including artificial intelligence, trade, Iran and Taiwan.

The visit underscored Washington and Beijing's effort to preserve dialogue between the world’s two biggest economies despite intensifying strategic competition.

Trump struck a warm tone toward Xi, describing their relationship as a “truly great friendship.”

“Working together, President Xi and I have made tremendous strides on the issues facing our two countries,” Trump said.

Peace Through Managed Competition

Both leaders' central message was that competition between the U.S. and China should not destabilize the wider international system.

Xi said the two governments carried a “historic responsibility of advancing human development and progress” and called on them to “strengthen communication.”

Trump linked the decisions taken during the visit on security, technology and artificial intelligence to longer-term global stability, saying they could support peace and prosperity for decades.

The emphasis on communication comes as few major breakthroughs are expected from the state visit.

Instead, the meeting is focused on managing a relationship marked by economic and geopolitical friction.

AI Emerges As Strategic Test

Artificial intelligence has become one of the clearest tests of whether the two powers can establish limits around their competition.

Trump said the talks would cover “pressing issues concerning security, technology, and super intelligence, SI.”

Xi placed greater emphasis on control of the technology.

“We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control,” he said.

The issue sits alongside a wider contest over advanced technology, making AI both an area of strategic rivalry and a potential field for dialogue.

Ceremony Masks Persistent Tensions

Trump personally greeted Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday before a formal welcome on the White House South Lawn on Thursday.

The program included military honors, Oval Office talks and a state dinner. The White House confirmed the state visit and its ceremonial program ahead of Xi’s arrival.

The elaborate reception contrasts with unresolved disputes between Washington and Beijing.

Trade remains a major source of friction. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a two-month extension of a trade truce due to expire in November, giving the two governments more time to avoid another escalation.

Both sides are seeking to prevent a return to the tariff confrontation triggered by Trump’s global trade measures last year.

Iran and Taiwan Remain on Agenda

Geopolitical disputes are also expected to test the effort to stabilize relations.

Trump said he would raise the war with Iran with Xi, amid questions over Beijing’s relationship with Tehran.

Taiwan is another sensitive issue. Beijing claims the self-governing island as its territory, while Trump’s comments will be scrutinized for any shift in Washington’s approach.

Those disputes leave the two leaders attempting to balance strategic competition with their stated desire to prevent confrontation.

Xi’s visit is scheduled to conclude on Friday after tea at the White House and a visit to the National Archives.