Xi Jinping wraps Washington visit with AI talks but no major deals

September 25, 2026 at 10:20 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a three-day state visit to Washington on September 25, his first since 2015 and the third in-person meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in a year. The summit produced no major agreements, though both sides identified artificial intelligence as an area for cooperation. The visit was marked by elaborate ceremonies, including a B-2 bomber and F-22 fighter flyover at the White House Rose Garden.

Key Facts

Xi Jinping's visit to Washington from September 23 to 25 was his first to the U.S. since 2015.
The summit was the third in-person meeting between Xi and Trump within one year.
On September 20 in New York, delegations led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held the first dialogue on artificial intelligence.
Trump greeted Xi at Andrews Air Force Base on September 23 instead of the White House, an unusual gesture.
A B-2 bomber and F-22 fighters flew over the White House Rose Garden during the honor guard ceremony on September 24.

Ceremonial Grandeur

The White House sought to turn the visit into a major spectacle from the first day. Trump personally greeted Xi at the steps of his plane at Andrews Air Force Base on September 23, rather than waiting at the White House. The next day, an honor guard lined up in the Rose Garden while a B-2 bomber and F-22 fighters flew overhead. Trump said he had never gotten along better with Xi, while Xi recalled Nixon's 1972 visit and spoke of a friendship 'forged in blood and fire.' The leaders were scheduled to visit the National Archives on September 25.

Artificial Intelligence Dialogue

Artificial intelligence was the most frequently mentioned topic at the summit, but the two sides' approaches differed significantly. Before the meeting, on September 20 in New York, delegations led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held the first dialogue on artificial intelligence. Bessent said he proposed a mechanism for mutual notification of AI incidents at the national security level, but Beijing did not officially confirm agreement. In his White House speech, Xi said both countries have the opportunity and responsibility to develop and govern AI for good, and that technology must always remain under human control. According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement, Xi proposed establishing dialogue on AI risks and preventing its misuse during closed-door talks.