Xi arrives in US for first visit in 11 years as Washington and Beijing extend trade truce

Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in the United States on Sept. 23 for his first visit to the country in 11 years, ahead of talks with President Donald Trump on trade and other major points of tension between Washington and Beijing.

Trump personally greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington - an unusual break with US protocol.

According to Bloomberg, Trump became the first US president in six decades to welcome a foreign counterpart at the military base, excluding papal visits. The last such reception was in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy greeted British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.

Trump is expected to formally welcome Xi at the White House on Thursday.

The visit comes as the United States and China agreed to extend a temporary trade truce for another two months. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the agreement would run until Jan. 10, although Beijing has not confirmed that date.

The existing truce suspended some high tariffs, Chinese restrictions on rare-earth exports and fees targeting Chinese-built and Chinese-owned ships calling at US ports.

Major differences remain between Washington and Beijing over trade, Taiwan and artificial intelligence. Trump is also seeking Chinese commitments on purchases of US agricultural products and aircraft, while rare-earth supplies remain a key issue in the negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had asked Trump to urge Xi to use his influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin to push for an end to the war or at least steps toward de-escalation.

Zelenskyy said Trump had agreed to raise the issue with the Chinese leader.