Trump hosts Xi in Washington, drawing Republican hawk criticism

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Washington on Thursday as a guest of President Donald Trump, a visit marked by ceremonial pomp but yielding no significant agreements. The event drew sharp criticism from Republican hawks. Trump received Xi with notable deference, including greeting him at the plane's stairs on Wednesday. Xi appeared confident, indirectly comparing Washington to ancient Sparta facing a rising Athens, a remark that unsettled some of Trump's allies. The day was also defined by a contentious struggle between American media outlets seeking access to the White House. The visit produced no substantive policy outcomes, with exchanges largely limited to formalities and veiled messages.