Xi's US visit secures trade truce ahead of White House talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States has already achieved its primary goal of extending the trade truce between Washington and Beijing, ahead of his formal White House meeting with President Donald Trump. Xi stated the two countries "should be partners rather than rivals." Trump greeted Xi personally at the airport on Wednesday and will host a formal welcome Thursday, including a military parade and gala dinner. Discussions will cover sensitive issues like Iran and Taiwan, though no major breakthroughs are expected beyond the trade truce extension to January 10. The visit marks Xi's first White House trip in over a decade and his third meeting with Trump since the latter returned to power. Trump, facing political difficulties and declining poll numbers, hopes the visit will showcase his diplomatic prowess.