Congress alarms Trump's China outreach over Iran, AI, Indo-Pacific

Congress members from both parties have raised alarms over China's actions as President Donald Trump courts Chinese leader Xi Jinping, citing issues including Indo-Pacific clashes, support for Iran, trade practices, and AI misuse. Republican lawmakers have led the criticism, breaking with Trump. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker called Xi a "brutal, unelected, and oppressive dictator" and opposed the state visit, urging Trump to address naval harassment, Taiwan, AI, and trade. The House Select Committee highlighted human rights abuses, while senators pressed for Taiwan arms sales and warned against weakening semiconductor export controls. Trump welcomed Xi on the tarmac Wednesday, an unprecedented gesture, and has paused a $14 billion Taiwan arms deal, calling it a negotiating chip. Democrats also urged confronting China over its support for Iran, with Senator Jeanne Shaheen saying cutting off that backing is key to ending the war.