US President Donald Trump gave Chinese President Xi Jinping a high-profile welcome at the airport on Wednesday, easing tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Xi’s three-day US visit covers trade, artificial intelligence and Iran. The two sides have also reached an early understanding to extend their existing trade truce. Washington confirmed that the tariff truce with China will extend for another two months, delaying the November deadline.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, after the Chinese leader arrived at Joint Base Andrews, a US military facility near Washington. Trump wore a long coat and gloves as he stood beside Xi on the tarmac. A military band played national anthems of both countries during the arrival ceremony.

The reception featured a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-gun artillery salute and an honour guard. Service members presented the US and China national flags. Six F-22 and six F-16 fighter jets were positioned on the tarmac as Xi’s motorcade arrived.

Two B-1 bombers also flew overhead during the ceremony, drawing attention to the event. Trump appeared startled by the noise and briefly winced. Xi remained composed. The welcome was notably different from Trump’s arrival in Beijing in May, when he did not receive a similar ceremony. Trump acknowledged the difference when asked about reciprocity.

Despite the elaborate welcome, expectations for major policy breakthroughs remain limited. Xi’s delegation included senior Chinese official Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to Chinese state media. Two sources cited by AFP said the delegation did not include Chinese corporate executives.

The absence of Chinese business leaders contrasts with a White House state banquet planned for Thursday. The event is expected to bring together senior American technology executives, including leaders of major artificial intelligence companies.

Xi’s visit will end on Friday morning. The schedule includes a tea meeting involving Trump, Melania, Xi and Peng. The Chinese leader is also expected to visit the National Archives to view the Declaration of Independence.

Artificial intelligence will feature prominently during Trump and Xi’s formal talks on Thursday. Washington and Beijing are competing for leadership in AI, while technology executives and others have raised concerns over the risks linked to rapidly advancing systems. However, the meeting is not widely expected to produce a formal agreement on AI oversight.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng discussed the possibility of creating a dedicated communication channel for AI-related issues on Sunday. The two officials met again on Wednesday before Xi’s arrival. Bessent described the discussions as "substantive".

Trade will remain another key issue in the talks. Washington and Beijing have operated under a tariff truce agreed after Trump and Xi met in South Korea the previous year. The latest two-month extension gives both sides more time for negotiations while pushing back the November deadline.

Jonathan Czin of the Brookings Institution told AFP that major breakthroughs were unlikely but said, "I think there will be some extension of the gentleman's agreement."