Trump rolls out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping despite U.S.-China tensions

Updated on: September 23, 2026 / 6:06 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — President Trump is offering a warm welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping this week as the U.S. tries to choke China's supply of semiconductor chips for artificial intelligence advancement, as the two countries determine whether their fragile truce on tariffs will continue, and as concerns mount about China's relationships with Iran and Russia.

Xi's visit to the White House, the first in more than a decade, features a state arrival ceremony Wednesday, with Mr. Trump taking part, along with U.S. military personnel.

Thursday will bring a formal meeting of the two presidents and a state dinner. Xi's wife, Peng Liyuan, is joining the trip.

Mr. Trump and Xi last met in May, when Xi welcomed the U.S. president for a state visit in Beijing.

On Wednesday evening, Mr. Trump is welcoming Xi and his wife at Joint Base Andrews, a rare instance of a sitting president leaving the White House and greeting a foreign leader on the tarmac. Mr. Trump and past presidents typically await foreign leaders at the White House.

On Thursday morning, the president and first lady Melania Trump will host an arrival ceremony…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/