Trump and Xi exchange warm words at White House dinner
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping exchanged warm words at a White House state dinner on Thursday, but showed little progress on key issues.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met at a lavish White House state dinner on Thursday.
- Few indications of progress were shown regarding major issues like Taiwan, trade, and tech.
- Prominent US tech CEOs and billionaire business leaders attended the high-profile event.
- Trump delayed a $14bn arms package for Taiwan, calling it a good negotiating chip.
US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping exchanged warm words at a lavish White House state dinner on Thursday, whilst offering little indication of progress on pressing issues between the two nations.
Despite diplomatic niceties, tensions remained over issues such as Taiwan, with Xi urging Trump earlier in the day to take the correct position on the self-governing island claimed by Beijing, amidst a paused weapons package.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Billionaire business leaders and US tech CEOs joined the leaders at the extravagant Thursday evening event, while protesters shouted slogans outside the White House gates, resulting in a few arrests.
"China and the United States must act as responsible major countries to meet the expectations of our peoples."
Xi Jinping
Beijing believes Washington is trying to contain its rise as a superpower and wants the US to stay out of trade, technology, and Taiwan matters. Meanwhile, Trump has targeted trade and tariff deals, including lowering Chinese tariffs on US goods and increasing agricultural exports.
This high-level summit highlights the complex geopolitical competition between Washington and Beijing, particularly in advanced technologies like AI, while longstanding disputes over Taiwan continue to test bilateral stability.
Planned by First Lady Melania Trump's office, the dinner menu featured American ingredients with subtle Chinese influences, including yellow squash, wild mushrooms, and a sesame-crusted sea bass served on red tablecloths symbolizing good fortune.
On Friday, the final day of the visit, the leaders and their wives will have tea in the White House Red Room before visiting the US National Archives to view founding documents like the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence, prior to Xi's departure later that day.
Source: BBC World
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment