Trump hosts Xi with red-carpet ceremony, praises 'great friendship'

President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday, a meeting marked by extraordinary deference from Trump, who greeted Xi at a military base and rolled out red carpets, while restricting access for several US news outlets. Trump praised his "truly great friendship" with Xi, touted progress on trade, and highlighted a Chinese offer to invite 100,000 American students and send two giant pandas to Atlanta. Xi called for peaceful coexistence and healthy competition, saying the "Thucydides trap can be overcome." The visit featured a military ceremony and flyover, but major cable networks boycotted coverage in solidarity with banned outlets. A judge later ruled Trump's ban on some reporters unconstitutional, allowing them back on campus.