Xi-Trump bonhomie: From lavish dinner to tough talks, what happened at White House

Washington: US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the White House on Thursday for a high-stakes state visit featuring lavish ceremony, tech billionaires and warm toasts.

Trump hailed their "truly great friendship". Yet beneath the glitz, Xi laid down firm red lines on Taiwan, AI, and the war in Iran.

Red lines on trade, AI and Taiwan

During 90 minutes of Oval Office talks, the leaders managed rivalry, extending a November trade truce by two months.

Xi delivered pointed warnings. On Taiwan, he urged Trump to act with "prudence" and oppose independence. Trump paused a $14bn arms package for Taiwan, treating sales as a bargaining chip.

On AI, rebranded by Trump as "superintelligence", the US president opposes regulation. Xi countered AI must stay "always under human control". Both finance ministers discussed notifying each other of AI incidents.

On Iran, Trump urged China to use oil leverage to end the seven-month war. Xi called for a quick negotiated end, backing a summer interim deal. Warning against the "Thucydides trap", Xi urged a healthy "race of catching up" rather than a wrestle.

Pomp, helicopters and presidential jokes

On Wednesday, Trump greeted Xi and Peng Liyuan at Joint Base Andrews — the first presidential airport welcome of a foreign leader in 60 years. He noted the 73-year-old Chinese leader looked "strong, vibrant, and fit" despite health rumours.

Thursday brought a South Lawn welcome, military review, and B-2 bomber flyover. Trump toured Xi through Marine One and showcased his new granite helipad, calling Xi a "stone expert" who "loves good granite".

Trump repeatedly touched Xi's arm. Colonnade portraits showed Joe Biden replaced by an autopen image. "Trump, and then Trump — and this is the autopen," Trump joked as Xi laughed. Pointing to an old photo, Trump teased: "Who is that? I don't recognize him!" adding, "We have a lot of respect for you". Trump praised Chinese reporters as friendliest press corps, days after banning CNN, MS Now and Politico — who returned Thursday after a court order. 

Tech billionaires and a glitzy state dinner

The visit ended with a 130-guest state dinner in the East Room. Trump wore a tuxedo, First Lady Melania Trump a tuxedo-style outfit, Xi a dark suit, and Madame Peng a red gown.

Guests included tech titans Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang in a tux, Greg Brockman, Michael Dell, and LVMH's Bernard Arnault. Chinese CEOs were absent over US protocol delays. Menu featured yellow squash velouté on Reagan red china, sea bass, and vanilla crémeux with honey ice cream.

In his toast, Trump declared: "the ties between our people endure, and we've never gotten along better". Off-script, he invited guests to view his ballroom construction site — the "Great Hall of the United States" — and gifted Xi an eagle statue co-designed with Melania. Xi gave no public gift. Replying, Xi said Trump's "make America great again" pledge and China's "great national rejuvenation" can be "mutually reinforcing". This marked a shift from 2015, when Trump suggested taking Xi to McDonald's for a Big Mac.

Does Xi share the friendship?

While Trump touted personal chemistry, analysts question if Xi feels the same. Former diplomat Danny Russel dismissed the event as "diplotainment" light on substance. Brookings expert Ryan Hass noted Trump focuses on chemistry while Xi focuses on state power. Judith Shapiro added White House honours are baseline respect the "Middle Kingdom" expects. Analysts say Xi is playing for time while keeping red lines non-negotiable.