Trump hosts Xi at White House, agreeing on AI hotline and trade truce extension

State reception at the White House

US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for their second bilateral meeting of 2026, following their talks in Beijing on 14 May. Xi became the first Chinese president to conduct two state visits to Washington, having completed his previous state visit in 2015 during the administration of Barack Obama. The White House reception deployed 479 armed forces personnel, four military bands, and a flyover by a B-2 stealth bomber. The formal welcome followed Trump's decision on Wednesday to greet Xi directly at Joint Base Andrews, an airport reception not seen for a state visit since John F Kennedy met British Prime Minister Harold McMillan in 1962. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan joined Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for formal ceremonies ahead of a state dinner.

Desde mi primera elección, en 2016, el presidente Xi y yo hemos forjado una amistad verdaderamente extraordinaria, construida sobre el respeto mutuo y los intereses vitales de nuestros pueblos.

Artificial intelligence and security mechanisms

The bilateral discussions addressed the management of emerging technologies and strategic stability between the two economies. Both governments agreed to create a direct communication hotline to notify each other of artificial intelligence incidents that could threaten national security. The protocol was finalized following preparatory talks between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York on Sunday and at World Bank headquarters on Wednesday. Trump referred to artificial intelligence as superintelligence and stated that existing development should continue without pause to preserve technological leadership, supported by strict export controls. Xi argued that technological competition should remain healthy and that artificial intelligence systems must stay under human supervision.

China and the United States must not cross the line into conflict and confrontation.

Trade truce extension and regional tensions

On economic policy, the two sides agreed to extend their trade truce by two months to January 2027, delaying the previous expiration date of 10 November 2026. The initial truce, agreed at the Busan summit in 2025, lowered tariff threats and suspended port fees between the two countries. However, trade tensions continue through corporate blacklists, export restrictions, and disputes over access to rare earth materials. Xi emphasized that bilateral interests are deeply connected, welcoming American business investment in China while requesting fair conditions for Chinese firms operating in the United States. Geopolitical discussions covered Taiwan, the war in Ukraine involving Russia, and US sanctions on trade with Iran, where China remains the largest buyer of crude oil.