Trump rolls out red carpet for Xi as reports of China's Iran support loom
President Xi Jinping received an unusually grand welcome in Washington on Wednesday, the most lavish for a foreign leader since 1962, as President Trump personally greeted him at Joint Base Andrews. However, new reports of extensive Chinese support for Iran's weapons industry could disrupt the cordial atmosphere. Trump personally welcomed Xi and his wife at the airport, a gesture not seen since John F. Kennedy hosted Britain's prime minister in 1962. Ahead of their White House meeting, the countries agreed to extend a trade war truce, with Trump seeking more rare earth metal exports and Xi pressing for delayed US arms deliveries to Taiwan. A Wall Street Journal investigation, published as Xi landed, alleges China exported missile and drone components to Iran thousands of times over the past year, based on Iranian customs data. Trump has previously downplayed such accusations, saying he trusts Xi, while China denies involvement in the Iran conflict.