President Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping with a red carpet and a military flyover as a high-stakes summit began, with talks expected to cover artificial intelligence, rare earths, trade and geopolitics.
Key facts
- Trump welcomed Xi Jinping with a red carpet and a military flyover.
- Two B-1 bombers, a key part of the US combat arsenal, flew overhead.
- The B-1 bombers produce a notoriously loud roar when passing by, according to the BBC.
- Meetings on Thursday are expected to cover AI, rare earths, trade and geopolitics.
- Geopolitical topics on the agenda include Iran and Taiwan, according to NPR.
President Trump rolled out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping as a high-stakes summit between the two leaders got underway, according to NPR and the BBC.
The ceremonial welcome included a military flyover. According to the BBC, two B-1 bombers flew overhead. The aircraft are described as a key part of the US combat arsenal and are known to produce a notoriously loud roar when they pass by.
The display of military hardware accompanied a diplomatic reception designed to mark the significance of the meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.
On Thursday, the two leaders are scheduled to hold meetings covering a broad agenda, NPR reported. Trump and Xi are expected to discuss artificial intelligence, rare earths and trade.
Geopolitical issues are also on the table. According to NPR, the talks are expected to address matters including Iran and Taiwan.
The combination of topics reflects the wide scope of issues between Washington and Beijing, spanning economic competition, critical materials and regional security concerns.
Why it matters
Meetings between the leaders of the United States and China carry global significance because their decisions on trade, technology and security shape the world economy and geopolitics. The scope of the agenda, from artificial intelligence and rare earths to Iran and Taiwan, underscores how much is at stake for both nations and their partners.
Frequently asked questions
How did Trump welcome Xi?
Trump welcomed Xi Jinping with a red carpet and a military flyover that included two B-1 bombers, according to the BBC and NPR.
What are the B-1 bombers?
According to the BBC, the two B-1 bombers that flew overhead are a key part of the US's combat arsenal and produce a notoriously loud roar when they pass by.
What will Trump and Xi discuss?
According to NPR, the leaders are expected to discuss artificial intelligence, rare earths, trade and geopolitics such as Iran and Taiwan during meetings on Thursday.