Trump praises China ties as 'never stronger' at Xi state banquet

Despite ongoing conflicts, US President Donald Trump praised ties with China as stronger than ever during a state banquet for Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. Trump acknowledged their differing systems but said the two nations have never understood each other better. Xi and his wife arrived Wednesday for a three-day state visit. The countries face disputes over trade, Iran, Russia, and AI regulation. Trump called the couple "extraordinary people" and unveiled a bald eagle sculpture as a gift. The visit occurs amid a long list of tensions, including a tariff dispute and rare earths issues. Trump framed the relationship as historically connected peoples, despite the significant policy differences between the two nations.