Senate Democrats Fault Trump-Xi Summit as Heavy on Ceremony, Light on Substance

US Senate Democrats have criticized President Donald Trump's state summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, arguing that the diplomatic spectacle in Washington took precedence over progress on artificial intelligence, trade, critical minerals and weapons for Taiwan.

Trump hosted Xi at the White House for a summit marked by elaborate ceremonial honours, but there was no indication that the closed-door discussions produced breakthroughs on the issues dividing the two countries.

In a statement signed by at least 19 of the 47 members of the Democratic caucus, the lawmakers called on Trump to immediately release more than $15 billion in security assistance for Taiwan that Congress has already approved. The package comprises $1.3 billion in funds and a $14 billion arms sale.

The Democrats also pressed the president to advocate for human rights and to seek the release of Americans they describe as wrongfully detained. Some of Trump's fellow Republicans used the occasion of the summit to make a similar appeal for the Taiwan funds to be delivered.

Beyond Taiwan, the statement took aim at the administration's decision to loosen restrictions on high-end chip sales to China. It also said the extension of the US-China tariff truce fails to adequately address supply chain vulnerabilities, including China's dominant position in global rare earth refining.

"We will compete successfully with China only through sustained investment in our own strengths, close coordination with allies, and an unwavering defense of our democratic values," the statement said.

While Democrats are routinely critical of Trump's policies, their response to the summit offered an early signal of how the party might approach Beijing should it win control of one or both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. Opinion polls suggest Republicans will struggle to defend their narrow majorities, with the president's approval rating declining.