Trump and Xi Seek to Steady US-China Ties at White House Talks
Trump and Xi met at the White House to stabilise ties, addressing Taiwan, trade, AI and Iran, with Xi announcing a youth exchange programme.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the White House on Thursday (September 24) for talks aimed at steadying relations between the world's two largest economies. The discussions covered Taiwan, trade, artificial intelligence, advanced chips and the Iran war.
Opening the meeting, Trump described his personal bond with Xi as a "truly great friendship" rooted in mutual respect and the interests of both peoples, a relationship he said had been built since his first presidential campaign in 2016.
Xi called for cooperation and controlled competition, cautioning that strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing should not be allowed to slide into confrontation. Competition, he said, should be healthy and kept within bounds — "a race of catching up with one another, not a wrestle in which either wins or loses." He again invoked the "Thucydides Trap," the idea that tensions between a rising and an established power can lead to conflict.
Taiwan emerged as a significant point of contention. Xi urged Trump to handle the issue prudently and to adopt what Beijing calls the "correct position" of opposing Taiwan independence. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly pressed Washington to halt arms sales to the island.
On artificial intelligence, Xi said both countries have the capability and the responsibility to develop and manage AI for good, ensuring it remains under human control and serves people's well-being. Trump had signalled before the meeting that AI and what he calls "superintelligence" would be high on the agenda.
The Iran war also featured in the talks. Trump has sought China's help in using its influence with Tehran to push Iran towards an agreement with Washington, while Beijing has opposed the US and Israeli military campaign and maintained economic ties with Tehran. Xi told Trump that China supports the US and Iran returning to negotiations and resolving their differences through dialogue.
Xi also announced a people-to-people initiative under which China will invite 100,000 American young people to visit the country over the next five years for studies and exchanges. The programme comes as the two governments seek to keep channels of engagement open despite broader tensions.