Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Washington for a three-day state visit — his first to the U.S. since 2015 — with President Donald Trump set to greet him personally at Andrews Air Force Base ahead of a White House summit and state dinner, the BBC reported.
On Wednesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after a second meeting this week with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng that Washington is open to extending the U.S.–China trade truce that expires November 10 or examining a larger deal China floated Sunday. “We’re fine with both, and we’re going to do what’s best for the American people,” Bessent told reporters, according to Reuters via The Korea Times. Earlier talks also covered an AI-safety incident “hotline,” tariff cuts on non-strategic goods, and rare-earth compliance — where U.S. officials say Chinese deliveries have “not been up to par.”
Agenda items for Thursday’s summit include trade, AI, and Taiwan. The U.S. trade deficit with China stands at more than $91 billion per latest Census data cited by the BBC. Congress has approved a multibillion-dollar Taiwan arms sale awaiting Trump’s signature; he has held off, treating it as leverage. Experts told the BBC major breakthroughs remain unlikely even as Trump rolls out unusual pomp for an adversary — airport greeting, military flyover, and a guest list that may include Sam Altman, Jensen Huang, and Elon Musk.
Sources: BBC (Brandon Drenon); The Korea Times / Reuters; Reuters
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