Trump greets Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews as U.S. visit begins
President Trump welcomed Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan in Maryland, opening a three-day visit expected to cover trade, technology and Taiwan.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
President Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday, opening a reported three-day U.S. visit expected to include talks on trade, technology and Taiwan. Trump and first lady Melania Trump met Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on the tarmac, Al Jazeera reported.
The ceremony included a red carpet and handshakes before Trump and Xi walked beside U.S. soldiers. They then stood for a gunfire salute and the U.S. national anthem, according to Al Jazeera.
What is on the agenda for Trump and Xi Jinping?
Trade, technology and security were among the broad subjects expected to be addressed during the visit, Al Jazeera reported. The outlet said discussions could also cover rare-earth minerals and U.S. ties with Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by China.
Artificial intelligence was also expected to be a subject of discussion, alongside trade and Taiwan, BBC News reported. Those were anticipated agenda items, not agreements announced at the arrival ceremony.
A temporary 11-month arrangement that eased punitive tariffs between the United States and China was set to expire on Nov. 10, according to Al Jazeera. The report said the arrangement had provided relief from tariffs imposed by Washington and retaliatory measures from Beijing; it did not report that the deadline had been extended.
What events are planned during Xi's U.S. visit?
Xi's itinerary was expected to include a White House state dinner, a military ceremony at the White House and a visit to the National Archives, Al Jazeera reported. BBC News also reported that Xi's trip was due to end Friday and that a White House dinner and military flyover were scheduled.
The airport welcome marked the ceremonial start of the visit, while substantive talks and official events were still ahead. Al Jazeera described Trump's personal airport greeting as an unusual move, but the accounts available did not establish a definitive historical comparison with every prior presidential arrival greeting.
No trade deal, joint statement, technology arrangement or commitment concerning Taiwan had been reported in connection with the arrival ceremony.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.