President Donald Trump is set to welcome Chinese leader Xi Jinping with a state dinner in the East Room of the White House on Thursday, September 24, marking the highlight of a three-day official visit announced by the U.S. government this Friday, according to EFE news agency.
Xi is scheduled to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, where Trump will personally greet him at the base of the aircraft. This ceremonial act makes Xi the first foreign leader Trump has received in such a manner since resuming the presidency.
Thursday is expected to be particularly eventful, featuring a military review during the welcome ceremony, a private meeting between the two leaders, and culminating with the state dinner. Also in attendance will be Melania Trump and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan.
Trump noted that the limited space available restricts the guest list to around 125, as the White House's main ballroom is currently under renovation.
"It's a shame we don't have the ballroom open, because if we did, we could have thousands of people dining," Trump commented. "I can literally tell you that thousands would want to be at that dinner. It's a very tough ticket to get."
Confirmed or expected attendees include some of the most influential figures in technology and finance: Sam Altman (OpenAI), Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Tim Cook (CEO of Apple), Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan), Jane Fraser (Citigroup), and David Sacks, former AI czar of the White House, whose attendance was confirmed by NBC News.
The significant presence of tech leaders is strategic, given the ongoing competition in artificial intelligence and access to advanced semiconductors, which are currently the most sensitive areas in U.S.-China relations.
The U.S. has maintained export controls on Nvidia chips bound for China, a restriction openly criticized by Huang, who has stated China "has all the chips it needs" despite the bans.
Trump also hinted that the summit's agenda is substantial. "We're going to have some pretty important meetings. We're going to have many different agreements. We're not doing this just for our health," he stated. Key topics include trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, Iran, and Ukraine.
Regarding tariffs, Trump recalled that at one point, duties on Chinese goods reached 145%, though he acknowledged, "that was too much, it was doing a lot of damage," and he didn't want to keep them at that level.
This will be the second state dinner held by Trump in his second term, following the one for King Charles III and Queen Camilla of Great Britain. The invitation to Xi was formally extended in May during Trump's state visit to Beijing, where Xi received him with high honors at the Great Hall of the People.
The visit will conclude on Friday, September 25, with a joint tour by both leaders of the U.S. National Archives, home to the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, as part of the commemorations for the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Key Aspects of Trump's State Dinner for Xi Jinping
What is the significance of the state dinner for Xi Jinping?
The state dinner is a ceremonial highlight of Xi Jinping's three-day visit to the U.S., symbolizing diplomatic engagement and addressing critical bilateral issues like trade and technology.
Who are some of the key attendees at the dinner?
Notable attendees include tech and finance leaders such as Sam Altman from OpenAI, Jensen Huang from Nvidia, Tim Cook from Apple, and Jamie Dimon from JPMorgan.
What topics are expected to be discussed during Xi Jinping's visit?
The visit's agenda includes discussions on trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, Iran, and Ukraine, highlighting the broad scope of U.S.-China relations.