President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet at the White House on Thursday for high-stakes talks on trade, artificial intelligence and the Iran war, amid military fanfare and a lavish dinner.
Although Chinese analysts largely expect a cautious summit with little major outcome, given the two leaders’ personal relationships and policy goals, their meeting still carries real geopolitical risks.
Its significance was evident the moment Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday night, where he was greeted by Trump on the tarmac — walking a red carpet laid out by U.S. military personnel before being greeted by Xi on the plane’s stairs.
It is the first time President Trump has visited the base to welcome a foreign leader, a source confirmed to CNBC on condition of anonymity to discuss the president’s plans for the summit. The last president to make this gesture was Barack Obama, who greeted then-Pope Francis 11 years ago this week at Garrison Andrews.
On Thursday morning, President Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, will welcome Mr. Xi and China’s first lady, Peng Liyuan, to the White House and hold an “arrival ceremony” at the State Capitol. Xi’s first visit to Washington was in September 2015, when he visited the capital shortly after the pope.
The two leaders will then head to the Rose Garden for a military review, after which President Trump and President Xi will hold bilateral talks, and President Melania Trump and First Lady Peng will head to another event.
That evening, President Trump and the first lady will host a state dinner for the Chinese delegation in the East Room of the White House, where leaders from both countries will open the ceremony with greetings.
A number of American business executives are scheduled to attend the dinner. Reuters had reported that Mr. Xi was expected to bring his own team of CEOs, but that entourage never materialized.
On Friday, the president and first lady will hold a private tea party at the White House before Xi’s departure, followed by a tour of the National Archives.
“President Xi hosted President Trump in China for a historic summit this summer, and President Trump will reciprocate that hospitality by welcoming the Chinese delegation for a reciprocal visit this week,” White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly told CNBC in a statement.
“The president will develop relationships with anyone to advance the national interest and get a good deal for the American people,” Kelly added.
This is developing news. Please check back for the latest information.
