Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump for a high-stakes three-day summit in the United States, scheduled for Wednesday (September 23, 2026). This meeting comes as both countries aim to stabilise their relationship, which has been strained by tensions related to trade, Taiwan and the Iran war. Mr. Xi will be arriving in Washington for the first time in over a decade, and this highly anticipated meeting will be their second interaction this year.
Here is a breakdown of the key issues they will be discussing at the White House this week, as well as the complete itinerary of Mr. Xi’s summit visit to Washington.
Trade wars and reciprocal tariffs
Global markets are watching closely to see if the U.S. and China will extend their tariff truce before it expires on November 10. This current truce paused a severe trade war that threatened global supply chains with massive tit-for-tat tariffs. While both sides have avoided new tariffs for nearly a year, they still have not reached a lasting agreement. Seeking to make progress, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng is in the United States holding meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The U.S. has indicated that upcoming announcements will focus on agriculture and non-tariff barriers, meaning China could cut duties on American farm imports. However, deep concerns over the ongoing trade disputes and the risk of a military conflict over Taiwan still heavily impact the talks.
Securing rare earth minerals
Critical minerals are a central focus of the Trump-Xi summit, with Washington urging Beijing to ease rare-earth shipments while Beijing presses the U.S. to delay rules barring Chinese firms from advanced technology.
Mr. Trump has adopted a less combative approach ahead of the meeting, largely due to China’s dominant control over up to 70% of global rare-earth mining and 85% of refining capacity.
Resolving these supply chain restrictions remains a primary point of leverage and tension that could ultimately help stabilise the broader trade détente between the two nations.
Geopolitical tensions
Another cause for friction at the summit involves China’s extensive economic ties to Iran. Washington believes Beijing has the unique advantage to exert pressure, but Xi has shown little inclination to do so. But despite U.S. frustration with Beijing, the U.S. still refrains from imposing penalties on Chinese banks despite the ongoing tensions.
Meanwhile, Asian allies express growing concern that softening support for Taiwan and concessions on its diplomatic status or arms packages could be leveraged by Washington to secure economic gains with Beijing. Moreover, any U.S. shift on Taiwan would be highly controversial, raising questions about Washington’s resolve to defend the island and provoking opposition in Congress.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a likely area for cooperation, given its implications for national security, economic competitiveness and military capabilities, and shared U.S. and Chinese concerns about misuse. However, experts say intense competition in the field between the countries is likely to limit the scope for anything beyond symbolic agreements.
Dario Amodei, chief executive of U.S. AI firm Anthropic, warned this month that Chinese dominance in AI could pose security risks to the United States.
Chinese state media dismissed this warning as coming from a “Cold War playbook,” while Mr. Trump has brushed aside calls to slow AI development, saying that “very negative forces” were raising exaggerated concerns.
President Xi Jinping’s Washington visit: Schedule
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Mr. Xi is scheduled to arrive at Joint Base Andrews, outside Washington, D.C., on Wednesday (September 23). President Trump is expected to personally welcome him at the military airfield.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
The main bilateral diplomatic discussions are expected to be held this day. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host a formal ceremony across the South Lawn, State Floor and Rose Garden, featuring 479 military personnel representing all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. This will be followed by remarks from both world leaders, a military salute and demonstrations, and will conclude with a military flyover featuring a B-2 Spirit and four F-22 Raptors, according to an official White House press briefing.
Post-ceremony, Mrs. Trump and Madame Peng are expected to visit the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. In the evening, a state dinner will be held in the East Room at the White House, welcoming Mr. Xi and Madame Peng.
Friday, September 25, 2026
On Friday morning, Mr. Trump and First Lady Melania will welcome Mr. Xi and Madame Peng to the South Portico of the White House for private tea. Following this, both couples will travel to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Concluding the historic three-day state visit, President Trump and the First Lady will officially bid farewell to Mr. Xi and Madame Peng at the National Archives.
(With Reuters inputs)
Published – September 23, 2026 02:23 pm IST
