Xi's Washington visit heavy on ceremony, light on breakthroughs

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington for a state visit, where President Trump personally welcomed him at Joint Base Andrews, a highly unusual gesture. No major breakthroughs are expected from the meeting, which focuses on technology, trade, and Taiwan. Trump greeted Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan with handshakes, national anthems, and a B1 bomber flyover. A state banquet with tech executives is planned, though China received no details on guest companies. The US announced a two-month extension of the import tariff deal made in Busan. The leaders plan two more meetings this autumn, with analysts suggesting a delayed US arms sale to Taiwan may be cancelled. AI development is also a topic, with China viewing US safety concerns as an attempt to curb its progress.