Trump risks Republican backlash with Xi visitpublished at 00:48 BST

00:48 BST

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

The White House has spent months touting Xi Jinping's visit to Washington, and President Trump himself regularly remarks on his "excellent" relationship with his Chinese counterpart.

Officials and staff at the White House clearly see this visit – and Trump’s to China in May – as perhaps the two most consequential bits of diplomacy of his second term.

But Trump's Maga base is one that has, for years, been largely suspicious of China – and Trump's red-carpet welcome for the man who stands as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party is already raising eyebrows among some Republicans from across the party.

Trump, after all, repeatedly brings up the spectre of creeping Communism as a threat to America.

In a speech on Tuesday, Senator Mark Wicker, the Republican who chairs the Armed Services Committee, criticised the "lavish welcome" that Xi was receiving. He argued that Trump would have been well advised to not invite Xi given "all the troubling issues we have with President Xi and the Chinese Communist Party".

Barret Marson, a Republican strategist, was quoted by Politico as saying that Xi's visit was "another in a string of examples where Trump’s message and Republicans don't jibe".

"The in-your-face arguments from Republicans this election cycle is that Democrats want to bring socialism or communism to America," Marson said. "Trump warmly embracing two of the most outspoken leaders of those ideologies makes it that much harder for the message to resonate with voters."

Image source, Reuters

The two leaders last met in May in China, where Trump received a grand ceremonial welcome from Xi at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, complete with a gun salute and a band playing the US national anthem.

But theatrics aside, the summit produced few tangible results aside from China's purchase of 200 Boeing planes and several pledges on trade, including increased access for American farmers to the Chinese market.

Analyst Pattie Kim described the trip as "thin on concrete commitments".

Speaking to the Brookings Institute, Kim said that ahead of the summit, there had been "a lot of concern going in that Trump might take a step to shift the US' policy on Taiwan… something that the Chinese have long wanted".

And though that didn't happen, Trump did caution Taiwan in an interview with Fox News after the summit and warned against formally declaring independence from China.

The US president was also full of praise for Xi, and told reporters on board Air Force One following the visit: "President Xi is an incredible guy, we got along, we made a lot of great trade deals."

Image source, Getty Images

US President Donald Trump greeted Xi Jinping with a rare airfield welcome at Joint Base Andrews to kick off a three-day visit of the Chinese leader to the US.

Here's how it unfolded:

• A red carpet was rolled out, as President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walked over to greet Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews
• It is the first time since 1962 that a US president has personally welcomed a foreign leader at the base. The grand welcome is a sign of the importance that Trump is giving this visit, writes our White House reporter
• After Xi stepped off the plane, the two leaders shook hands, with each of their wives by their sides
• Two B-1 bombers flew overhead to celebrate the Chinese leader's arrival and the US Air Force band played both countries' national anthems with US and Chinese flags waving
• Trump and Xi were then seen departing separately for Washington DC
• Later, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US and China have agreed to extend a trade truce that was set to expire in November through 10 January

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent just announced that the US and China will be extending a truce in their trade war with China through January.

Speaking on Fox News after his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He ​Lifeng, Bessent said an agreement has been reached to extend the so-called "Busan Agreement" to each ease tariffs on the other, which was scheduled to expire on 10 November.

He said the two also discussed if there can eventually be a more substantive trade deal between the two countries.

"I don't know if a bigger deal can be done. I don't know if we'll just roll the current deal," he said.

Sarah Smith
North America editor

Image source, Reuters

Trump is rolling out the red carpet for Xi Jingpin – both literally and metaphorically. The White House has been spruced up for his visit, which will include a lavish state dinner.

It is possible the spectacle will outshine the substance at this summit.

President Xi will ask Donald Trump to further delay the sale of billions of dollars of weapons to Taiwan.

It is in both sides interest to extend a truce in their trade war, to avoid a return to sky high trade tariffs. But China appears have reneged on promises to buy more American agricultural products and to sell more rare earth minerals to the US.

The topic likely to dominate is of course AI. Despite recent warnings about the potential dangers of AI, from within the industry, they are unlikely to agree to new rules of safeguards to slow the development of the technology.

President Trump has dismissed those concerns as a “hoax” and both countries are racing to try to achieve dominance in the sector.

But they may agree a mechanism which they can use to warn each other about the technology getting out of control.

Trump and Xi have now departed Joint Base Andrews en route for Washington DC.

The US president walked the Chinese leader to his car and the two exchanged conversation briefly. Xi appeared to nod and smile alongside one of his delegates.

Trump and Melania then walked to their own vehicle and departed as well - they are heading to Marine One for the short flight back to the White House.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

We've now seen two B-1 bombers fly overhead of Joint Base Andrews to celebrate Xi's arrival.

The supersonic aircraft are a key part of the US's combat arsenal, and produce a notoriously loud roar when they pass by.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A short while ago, with the carpet and steps to the plane in place, the Trumps strode forward to greet the Xi Jinping and his wife.

The colour and honour guard marched up to the aircraft and stood on both sides of the red carpet at 17:58 ET, at the same time as two "Beast" type limos pulled up nearby.

President Trump stepped out of the car at 17:59 and began walking to aircraft, with first lady Melania Trump to his right. The band began playing at 18:01 as two smaller black limos for the Chinese leader pulled into position to the right of the honour guard.

Image source, Reuters

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are now greeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on the red carpet laid out on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.

The two leaders and their wives shook hands and are all smiles as they exchange a few words of conversation.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The White House and the military were tight-lipped about the exact order of events, and what today entails.

We can now report the event includes a 100-foot (30m) red carpet, a battery salute from the cannons, three colour teams - ceremonial units - with US and Chinese flags, the US Air Force band playing both national anthems and platoons from each military service.

There will also be a flyover by a pair B-1 bombers, long a workhorse of the US combat arsenal and a key part of US conventional and nuclear strike capabilities. The aircraft has seen extensive combat service, most recently in the skies over Iran.

Image source, Reuters

A large and long red carpet is now being rolled out for the Chinese delegation.

Image source, Reuters

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

After the long flight from Beijing, the official aircraft carrying Xi Jinping turned and taxied up to the main event portion of the tarmac at 17:45.

It came to a halt directly in front of us at 17:48. We are about 150 yards from the left wing of the aircraft and the engines were turned off at 17:49.

The band is marching up now, and the red carpet being unfurled.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

The Air China plane carrying Chinese leader Xi Jinping, his wife Peng Liyuan and other delegates has touched down at 17:39 local time at Joint Base Andrews, where US President Donald Trump will greet them.

Image source, Getty Images

When the US president travels, they have Air Force One, one of the most recognisable aircraft in the world.

As it comes into view above Joint Base Andrews, Xi Jinping's plane is similar in many ways - it's almost always a Boeing 747 made up will all the bells and whistles required for the Chinese leader's travel. But it's less known to the world, and that's because it's not always the same plane.

Unlike the US, the Chinese government doesn't have an aircraft (or multiple) just for official presidential travel. Rather, Xi uses a 747 from an the Air China fleet of planes.

Chinese officials have told media that this measure is to reduce waste by making use of existing aircraft. The country's Air Force inspects the plane and modifies it to suit the president's needs, according to Chinese media, including removing seats to make space for sofas and beds.

Otherwise, little has been made public about the aircraft, though it's usually seen with an official flag near the door where the Chinese leader exits.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

China is often painted as an adversary and potential enemy by prominent Americans, both in and out of government. But Trump’s lavish welcome comes at a time when American attitudes towards China appear to be warming.

A recent poll by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found that 41% of Americans see China’s territorial ambitions as a threat to the US. But that number is down from 52% in 2022.

More than half of Americans - 57% - believe the US should cooperate and engage with Beijing. Notably, that statistic cuts across the US political spectrum. Of Republicans who do not identify as Maga, 57% favour cooperation, as do most Democrats, both moderate and liberal.

However most Maga Republicans - 63% - favour limiting US relations with China - putting the president’s most loyal base at odds with Trump’s efforts to cosy up to Xi.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Reuters

The arrival is still a little while away, but Joint Base Andrews has begun buzzing with activity.

A series of black SUVs and limos are parked near the tarmac, and the Air Force band has begun marching in formation onto the tarmac. It's hard to hear over the wind and a circling helicopter, but we can hear their drums and the faint commands of the officer giving directions. Other formations from the other services - including the Space Force subsequently joined as well, with rifles on their shoulders.

By the cannons, a group of blue Airmen in formal dress uniforms appears to be receiving instructions, and the honour guard that will meet Xi's aircraft is standing to my right. One of its members, from the US Army, is holding a US flag. Two members down the line, a member of the Marine Corps is holding a Chinese flag.

Image source, Reuters

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to greet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The Trumps stepped out of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, and into a motorcade to be taken to the location of the arrival ceremony.

Image source, Reuters

US First Lady Melania Trump says she has been involved intimately with the planning of the itinerary for the visitors from Beijing.

"Every detail, I was involved," she told Fox News in an interview. She says Trump made the decision to personally greet Xi himself at the airport "because they have a great relationship" but she has involved in the other major components of the visit such as the state dinner.

"There is a lot of detail that comes into the plan, there is protocol that you need to follow" she said.

Aside from the arrival ceremonies at the White House, Mrs Trump has also planned a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art with her Chinese counterpart Peng Liyuan to show the cultural connections between the US and China.

The landmark visit will end on a historical note at the National Archives building where the couples will view important national records including those of "significant to the American and Chinese relationship," the White House says.

Image source, Getty Images

During their last visit in Beijing, Donald Trump was accompanied by a posse of tech executives from some of America's largest firms – including Apple's Tim Cook, Tesla's Elon Musk and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.

The South China Morning Post reports that Xi Jinping plans to mirror the delegation Washington sent last May.

But the exact names of which executives the Chinese leader plans to arrive with on Wednesday afternoon have yet to be confirmed.

His wife, Peng Liyuan, is confirmed to be travelling with Xi and the two will return to China on Friday.