Xi Jinping touched down at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on September 23, 2026, marking the start of a three‑day state visit to the United States.
Trump greeted the Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan, with a rare personal airport welcome that has not occurred since President Kennedy in 1962.
The gesture followed Trump’s earlier denial of a similar welcome during a 2025 visit to Beijing, underscoring a shift in U.S. diplomatic protocol.
According to Chinese state media, Xi was accompanied by his right‑hand man Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, among other senior officials.
In a brief address upon arrival, Xi declared that the United States and China should be “partners, not rivals,” and expressed confidence that the two nations can cooperate on the great rejuvenation of China and America’s resurgence.
Trump echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of constructive engagement amid rising tensions over trade tariffs, technology, artificial intelligence, and military ties.
The leaders are slated to discuss a broad agenda that includes the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Russia‑Ukraine war, the arms race in space, and the future of global technology standards.