US residents pin hopes on Xi's state visit to steady bilateral ties
As Xi Jinping begins a three-day US state visit, residents tell interviewers they hope face-to-face talks ease tensions and deliver progress on tariffs, AI and cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the United States on Wednesday to begin a three-day state visit at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. The trip follows Trump's own state visit to China in May, the first by a US president in nearly nine years.
Ahead of the visit, residents interviewed on US streets said they hoped the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders would help cut through misunderstandings and give fresh momentum to bilateral relations.
"I think it's really good that they meet face-to-face the way they are, because it's good for the human element and it's important to keep that in mind as we deal with all the abstractions of AI and trade and all the issues that both our countries face," said Alexander Adams, a resident.
Zoey Burlow, who works in the solar energy sector, said she hoped the talks would lead to a reconsideration of tariffs. She said higher prices for solar panels and knock-on effects on technology would make sustainability harder and more expensive to pursue.
Others framed their expectations around the tone of the relationship. "I mean I'd hope so that communication could bring more of a partnership but not just like fear-mongering each other," said Brandon Lowens.
Anna Pilar Vallejo said she wanted to see cooperation among all countries. "We need this," she said.
Sebastian Vazquez pointed to artificial intelligence as an area ripe for joint work. "I hope they can do some AI cooperation. I think it's badly needed," he said.
The visit places trade, technology and broader bilateral engagement at the centre of the agenda, with residents voicing a mix of economic and strategic concerns.