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Fri, 25 Sep 2026

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 Trump and Xi exchange warm words at state dinner but little progress on key issues

Despite diplomatic niceties and gifts, little was shared on substantial issues separating the leaders.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the White House state dinner, exchanging warm words but making little progress on pressing issues. Xi emphasized that AI should remain "under human control" and that countries should act responsibly. Trump toasted to a future of "harmony, peace and success" for both nations. Despite diplomatic niceties, tensions remain between the two leaders, particularly over Taiwan. Xi urged Trump to take the "correct position" on the self-governing island, which Beijing claims. The dinner was attended by billionaire business leaders and US tech CEOs, including Apple's Tim Cook and Nvidia's Jensen Huang. Protesters gathered outside the White House gates, some of whom were arrested. Trump praised Xi during his visit, saying that while the two countries have "different systems", they have "never gotten along better". Xi welcomed the "historic juncture" in US-China relations and said both leaders' ambitions could be mutually reinforcing. The meeting came just hours after Chinese state media reported Xi advising Washington to handle Taiwan with prudence. The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with defensive means, but Trump delayed approving a $14bn arms package for the island after Xi's warning in May. Xi and Trump began the final day of their visit on Friday with tea at the White House's Red Room, followed by a tour of the US National Archives.