WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington on Wednesday for a three-day visit where the superpowers’ tensions over trade, technology and Tehran will play out against a backdrop of pomp and ceremony.
For the Chinese leader’s first trip to the US in nearly three years, Trump will greet Xi and his wife on the tarmac when they arrive Wednesday evening at the Maryland military base that hosts Air Force One.
The fanfare was due to include a state dinner with tech luminaries, a White House military ceremony including jet flyovers and a visit to the National Archives where the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution are housed.
Despite their deep disagreements, both sides pressed ahead with the summit, which analysts said seeks to project stability between the world’s biggest factory and its biggest consumer.
Expectations for a breakthrough during Xi’s visit were slim.
The countries’ 11-month trade truce sunsets in November, but the two sides are at odds on issues ranging from Taiwan to narcotics and rare-earth minerals.
People familiar with the plans said Xi was likely to forcefully raise Beijing’s claim to Taiwan, a topic Washington would prefer to avoid, while Trump was likely to maintain firm US export controls despite Xi’s objections.
But talks set for Thursday could nonetheless yield deals to lower tariffs in specific sectors, cooperate on drug trafficking and expand military-to-military dialogue.
Trump is expected to seek the release of some Americans and others detained in China, according to the people.
The two countries could also agree to talk more on AI, where they are in fierce competition but mindful of growing dangers.
