WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Thursday he would discuss “pressing issues” including artificial intelligence in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House.
“During this visit, we will also discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology, and super intelligence — SI. The decisions we make in these areas today can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come,” Trump said.
“President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship actually, built on the mutual respect and the vital interests of our people.”
President Trump welcomes President Xi Jinping, Madame Peng Liyuan, and the Chinese delegation to the White House to begin their… pic.twitter.com/48bcpMGRGC
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2026
Xi called for the US and China to manage their superpower rivalry and keep AI under human control as President Donald Trump gave his Chinese counterpart a lavish welcome at the White House.
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Xi Jinping, President of The People’s Republic of China, and Madame Peng Liyuan to the White House for their official state visit. pic.twitter.com/4Nw0NP96Zx
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2026
Trump shook hands with Xi at the start of a day full of pomp and pageantry, but their talks will focus on tense issues — particularly how to handle the rising challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
The US President hailed what he called his “truly great friendship” with the Chinese leader, with whom he has met three times since returning to power last year.
“President Xi and I have forged a friendship — a truly great friendship, actually — built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people,” Trump said as the leaders delivered remarks at the White House.
“Working together, President Xi and I have made tremendous strides on the issues facing our two countries,” Trump said.
‘Strengthen communication’
President Xi called on the US and China to strengthen communication and avoid conflict, saying the world’s two largest economies had a shared responsibility to advance human development.
“China and the United States, as two major countries, shoulder a historic responsibility of advancing human development and progress,” Xi said at the White House. “We should strengthen communication.”
Xi also called for cooperation on artificial intelligence, saying both countries had the ability and responsibility to ensure the technology was developed for the benefit of humanity and remained under human control.
“We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control,” Xi said.
The remarks came as US President Donald Trump hosted Xi for a high-profile state visit aimed at managing tensions between Washington and Beijing over trade, technology and other issues.
The leaders’ discussions also come amid concerns over the potential risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems and the consequences of competition between the United States and China in the sector.
High-profile welcome for Xi
Trump personally greeted Xi at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, an unusually prominent welcome for a visiting foreign leader. A formal ceremony followed at the White House on Thursday, including a military flyover and talks in the Oval Office.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump had earlier welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the military base. A military band played the national anthems of both countries as aircraft flew overhead.
Trump later described the arrival ceremony as a successful welcome.
The two leaders are due to continue their programme on Friday, when they and their wives are scheduled to have tea at the White House before visiting the US National Archives, which houses the Declaration of Independence.
