Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday, an event that set the stage for a scene unlike anything the building has witnessed in more than two centuries, according to the US president.
"Remarkably," Trump observed, "this is our first time meeting together here at the White House, and as President Xi has already seen, a lot has changed since he was last here."
While Xi remained poker-faced, a brief look around the grand foyer, bedecked with American and Chinese flags, would have verified Trump's statement. On one wall, where an official portrait of Barack Obama once hung, was the dramatic image of a bloodied Trump with fist raised urging his supporters to "fight!" after a failed assassination attempt.
Red Carpet and Restricted Access
Chinese state media had been welcomed onto the White House grounds, but many US journalists had not, due to Trump's ban on CNN, MS Now and Politico. Michael McFaul, a former US diplomat, described the vivid contrast as "wrong and embarrassing."
That was hard to deny, given that China ranks 178th in Reporters Without Borders' press freedom index, ahead of only North Korea and Eritrea. The US, for the record, is down to 64th.
The deference was deafening. On Wednesday night, Trump and his wife, Melania, travelled to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to greet Xi off his plane, a trip US presidents rarely make for foreign leaders, and rolled out a literal red carpet for his strongman soulmate.
Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader, observed on X: "If you're a foreign authoritarian, Trump won't just invite you to visit America, he'll roll out the red carpet for you…"
Trump also gushed on his Truth Social platform: "I met President Xi at the plane (Airport!) yesterday and he looks strong, vibrant, and fit — Better than ever. Madam Xi, of course, BEAUTIFUL!"
When the president wrote "Madam Xi," referring to Xi's wife Peng Liyuan, he should have said "Madame Peng," which is how she is recognised.
Two Welcomes and Delegation Talks
Xi received two welcomes. On Thursday morning, there were more flags, more trumpet blasts, and another red carpet as the Trumps emerged from the White House south portico to greet Xi and Peng.
Then it was on to the grand foyer for statements, with no reporter questions allowed, before the two delegations, including Vice-President JD Vance and wife Usha, sat in neat rows. Trump went first, sticking mostly to the teleprompter.
Trump touted his "truly great friendship" with Xi and claimed the two countries had made strides on trade since his trip to China in May. "During this visit, we will also discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology, and 'super intelligence,'" he said, using his alternative name for artificial intelligence.
He suggested that the second world war offers a lesson on how the competitors can work together. "Brave American pilots volunteered to come to China and fight for the very survival of the legendary country," he said, referring to the Flying Tigers air corps that helped defend China against Japanese invasion. "They were just unbelievable."
He added that it was US marines' interactions with Chinese citizens that inspired them "to adopt a Chinese phrase that they still use today: gung ho".
But it was Xi, speaking more substantially, who looked like he owned the place. Trump, sitting behind with hands clasped together, had the appearance of junior partner. Xi said he was ready to work with the president to "steer the giant ship of the China-US relationship on a steady course toward the future".
Xi's Announcements and Ceremony
Xi had a charm offensive of his own. "President Trump and I have respect for each other," he said. "We have built personal rapport and stayed in touch."
He announced Thursday that 100,000 young American students would be invited to study in China over the next five years. He also revealed China will send two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fuchuan, to a zoo in Atlanta.
Xi insisted that the countries can "co-exist in peace" and their competition "should be a healthy one". "The Thucydides trap can be overcome," Xi declared, in a tacit acknowledgement that China is threatening to displace the US as the world's superpower.
With more flattery, he added: "Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand."
Next up was a military ceremony including a flyover at the Rose Garden, with Chinese flags waving from the Oval Office roof alongside US flags. A marching band dressed in the garb of the Revolutionary War era paraded in the paved-over Rose Garden.
None of this was covered by the usual cable news networks because they were boycotting shared coverage, in solidarity with the banned outlets.
Bilateral Talks and Press Ban Reversal
Trump then sat down with Xi for bilateral talks. Showing off the Marine One helicopter and his new helipad on the south lawn, Trump reported: "We had a great meeting - and he has a great interest in granite. He likes granite. He's an expert on stone, aside from many other things, and he loves good granite."
By the afternoon, some of the banned reporters had been allowed back onto the White House campus after a judge found Trump's action to be unconstitutional.
