Trump hosts Xi for state visit marked by ceremony and trade tensions

President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday, showcasing their friendship with a grand ceremony that included a military flyover, a helicopter tour, and a state dinner with tech billionaires. The three-hour visit featured public displays of warmth, with Trump highlighting their mutual respect and showing Xi recent renovations, while Xi called for fair treatment of Chinese businesses and partnership on AI. Reporters were barred from the Oval Office, and Xi declined to answer questions on contentious topics. The visit comes amid ongoing tensions over trade, fentanyl exports, and geopolitical issues, though Trump avoided public confrontation. Xi announced a panda loan to Atlanta, and protesters rallied outside, including groups dressed as Winnie the Pooh, a figure censored in China for resembling Xi.