Trump hosts China’s Xi for White House state dinner

White House talks and dinner

President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for meetings and a state dinner Thursday, bringing the leaders together as their governments seek to manage disputes over trade, technology and international security.

The two presidents met in the Oval Office before the dinner. Trump described their discussion positively but did not address questions about what they covered. Xi later said through a translator that the leaders had extensive talks and found common ground on several matters, without identifying specific agreements.

Trump told dinner guests that the United States and China should develop ties that support prosperity and security. Xi called for stability in the relationship and said both governments should act responsibly as major countries.

The dinner included business and technology leaders. It was Xi’s first visit to the White House in more than a decade, CBS News reported.

Tariffs and artificial intelligence

The meeting followed a U.S.-China agreement earlier in the week to extend their tariff truce by two months. That step delayed the possibility of another escalation in tariffs, but the two governments did not announce a wider trade agreement.

Tariffs directly affect the cost of goods moving between the countries and can influence prices, business decisions and jobs. The extended pause gives both governments more time to negotiate while leaving the larger economic dispute unresolved.

The countries also remain competitors in advanced artificial intelligence. Trump has argued for lighter regulation as the United States seeks to stay ahead of China in the field. Other points of tension include China’s relationships with Iran and Russia, the war in Ukraine and the future of Taiwan.