COMMENT – Trump and Xi signal a new chapter of cooperation

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /ATSH-DPA/ – U.S. President Donald Trump praised relations between the United States of America and China during last night’s official dinner at the White House, held in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump and Xi closed out the second day of the Chinese president’s U.S. visit with a black-tie dinner.

Trump said the two countries have different political systems, but relations between the American and Chinese peoples remain strong.

He added that relations between him and Xi have never been better.

Trump praised Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, describing them as extraordinary people.

He presented them with a statue of an eagle, the national symbol of the United States.

Trump said both sides could continue building a relationship that brings prosperity and security for future generations.

For his part, Xi thanked Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, for their hospitality.

He said the talks between the two countries had produced common understanding on many issues and set new directions for U.S.-China relations.

Xi said China and the U.S. should act as responsible major powers, take into account the interests of their peoples and find ways to coexist through cooperation.

He also stressed that China and the U.S. should be partners rather than rivals, calling for stable relations, cooperation and managed competition.

Cooperation on technology and artificial intelligence

Earlier in the day, Trump and Xi stressed the need for more communication and cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.

Xi invited 100,000 American citizens to study in China. Meanwhile, China is expected to send two pandas to an American zoo, as a sign of friendship between the two countries.

Trump said the talks would yield decisions on important issues, including security, technology and artificial intelligence.

He used the term “super intelligence” for highly advanced artificial intelligence.

According to Trump, decisions taken in these areas could affect the peace and well-being of both countries for many decades.

Visit with special ceremony

The U.S. held an official welcome for the Chinese delegation on Wednesday evening.

Children greeted Xi and his wife with bouquets of flowers, while two B-1 bombers flew over the ceremony area.

The welcoming ceremony also included a 21-soldier honor guard, ceremonial cannon fire and the U.S. Air Force band performing the national anthems of both countries.

During the visit, which ends today, international conflicts are also expected to be discussed, including the war in Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Xi last visited the U.S. in 2023, when he attended the APEC economic summit in California and met then-U.S. President Joe Biden.

His last visit to the White House was in 2015, during Barack Obama’s presidency.

U.S.-China trade truce extended

The visit began with a positive development on the economic front. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Wednesday evening that the trade truce between the U.S. and China will be extended by two months.

Bessent told “Fox News” that the agreement on the temporary suspension of the trade conflict was extended after an unscheduled meeting between him and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Washington.