Trump and China relations
The gist
Xi Jinping met Donald Trump in Washington Sep 24-25 for a state visit with few policy breakthroughs.
The visit's main question was whether the two leaders would extend a trade truce expiring November 10.
How it unfolded
- Sep 21, 2026Reuters reports Xi Jinping has overseen a surge in China's trade with the world while Donald Trump has struggled with falling approval ratings at home in the four months since the leaders last met; the main focus of the September 24 meeting is whether the leaders will signal an extension to a trade truce struck last year.
- Sep 22, 2026Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for his third meeting in less than a year with Donald Trump; the two sides agreed at their May meeting in Beijing on the slogan of building a relationship of "constructive strategic stability."
- Sep 22, 2026CFR previews the summit, noting Xi lands Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews for his first state visit to Washington in eleven years; Trump will wait on the tarmac, a B-2 Spirit and four F-22 Raptors will overfly the ceremony, and Melania Trump will host Peng Liyuan.