Several pressing topics were raised during bilateral talks, which followed a lavish 130-guest state banquet
Xi-Trump summit day 2: Trade truce extended to 2027, Taiwan and AI on agenda
Article by:
PUBLISHED:
China and the US extended their trade truce to January 2027, as the leaders of the two countries – Xi Jinping and Donald Trump – held talks on Taiwan, AI and trade on 24 September 2026, the second day of the Chinese president’s three-day state visit to Washington.
In his welcoming speech delivered at the White House, President Xi expressed his commitment to working with US and President Trump to stabilise and “steer the giant ship of the China-US relationship.”
Xi alluded to the tensions between the two superpowers in key areas, highlighting the need for government departments to boost contact in fields such as foreign affairs, the economy, finance and law enforcement.
The Chinese leader emphasised the need to “strengthen communication,” “build up mutual trust” and “seek common ground while shelving differences.”
He also underscored the need for both sides to “overcome” the Thucydides Trap, an academic theory that refers to the tendency for war to break out between established and rising powers. Xi had brought up the same idea during the first Xi-Trump summit in China between 13 and 15 May 2026.
“Our two militaries should maintain regular dialogue, and improve mechanisms for crisis communication and prevention,” he said.
Xi and Trump discuss trade, Taiwan and AI
After Trump and Xi delivered their welcoming speeches, the pair held closed-door meetings in the Oval Office.
According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement published on 25 September, the two leaders discussed economic and trade ties, Taiwan, AI, the Middle Eastern conflict, and the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
In relation to the economy and trade, Xi mentioned the new agreement brokered by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng that will see the deadline of the two countries’ trade truce extended from 10 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, allowing time for a potentially more substantive agreement. Xi described the deal as “good news” for both countries and the global economy.
[See more: Xi Jinping state visit to the US begins with Donald Trump welcome]
Xi meanwhile told the US side they must handle the Taiwan question cautiously. He expressed hopes the US would oppose Taiwanese independence.
On the topic of AI, Xi said that as major AI nations, China and the US must maintain human control over AI technology, making sure the technology puts people first and serves human progress.
The Chinese president’s comments differed from those made by Trump, who posted on social media on 14 September 2026 that AI was already being adequately managed in the US and that tightening controls would only allow adversaries such as China to gain ground.
What about the state banquet?
On the evening of 24 September, Xi, Trump, along with the First Lady of China, Madame Peng Liyuan and the First Lady of the US, Melania Trump, attended a state dinner that featured over 130 guests, including tech moguls such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang and Mark Zuckerberg.
Speaking at the event, President Xi described the historic nature of the Xi-Trump summit, with leaders from both sides exchanging state visits in an unprecedented period of less than six months. The Chinese president also highlighted the shared history between the US and China, which spans more than 200 years, covering milestone events such as World War II and the normalisation of Sino-US relations initiated under US President Richard Nixon.
Trump similarly highlighted the long-running ties between the US and China in his address, before gifting the Chinese president with an American bald eagle statue, which he said represented “the free and soaring spirit of America.”
According to the menu viewed by the Washington Post, guests at the banquet ate dishes that mixed Chinese and French influences, including wild mushroom fricassée, braised baby bok choy and walnut frangipane.
What did the Chinese and US first ladies do on day 2 of the Xi-Trump summit?
During the second day of the Xi-Trump summit, the Chinese and American first ladies paid a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC to view centuries-old artworks, including a Chinese porcelain vase from the 18th century.
Madame Peng and Melania Trump wrapped up their visit by viewing a performance of “Jasmine Flower” and “Songs & Smiles” by the Hope Chinese School’s youth choir.
What will happen on day 3 of the state visit?
On the final day of the Xi-Trump summit, Xi, Trump and the two first ladies are scheduled to have tea together before heading over to Washington’s National Archives, where they are expected to view important US documents such as the Declaration of Independence.
Xi’s state visit will conclude with a return journey to Joint Base Andrews, from where he and Madame Peng will depart from the US.
