Trump greets Xi at Andrews as China's leader begins US state visit
Donald Trump greeted Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday evening, marking an unusually generous start to the Chinese president's US state visit. The two-day trip comes amid tensions over AI development and geopolitical instability. The visit includes a 21-gun salute, private tea with the president and first lady, and a National Archives tour. The White House has invited tech leaders from OpenAI, Apple, xAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Meta to Thursday's state dinner, as the US and China compete in AI advancement. Trump has dismissed AI safety concerns, arguing that winning the AI race is crucial for US military and economic leadership. Xi's visit reciprocates Trump's earlier trip to China this year, with Melania Trump emphasizing the importance of welcoming the Chinese leader with respect.