Trump and Xi Jinping Hold Key White House Meeting; Emphasis on Cooperation Over Confrontation
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting at the White House and described the talks as positive. Following the meeting, Trump stated that the US and China are friends and that their national interests are deeply intertwined.
Xi Jinping remarked that working together would benefit both nations, whereas confrontation would only lead to losses. He emphasized that the relationship between the two countries should be based on healthy competition rather than conflict.
He stated that the US and China should compete to improve themselves rather than getting entangled in a zero-sum struggle where one side wins and the other loses. Xi also underscored the importance of responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) subject to human control.
After the talks, Trump described the meeting as "very good" but did not provide specific details regarding the discussion.
Prior to the meeting, Trump praised his long-standing relationship with Xi, noting that their friendship dates back to 2016, when he was first elected president. He described the relationship as close and grounded in mutual respect and the shared interests of both nations' people.
Xi thanked President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for the warm welcome in Washington. He described both the US and China as great nations and praised their respective peoples.
While the leaders were meeting inside the White House, protesters gathered outside, and their chants could be heard during the discussions.
This meeting takes place as the US and China engage in dialogue regarding trade, technology, artificial intelligence, and other major global issues. The international community is closely monitoring these talks.
Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Thursday for his state visit and received a formal welcome at the White House before the high-level talks between the two leaders began.