Xi in Washington: Red Carpet for China’s Leader, But Can Trump Deliver a Deal?

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By TRH World Desk

Xi Jinping’s US visit brings Trump and China back to the negotiating table, but American expectations are guarded even while Trump is rolling out the red carpet

New Delhi, September 23, 2026 — In almost four months after their meeting in Beijing, US President Donald Trump has rolled out a red-carpet welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Unlike his last visit to the US when he held high-stakes meeting with then US president Joe Biden, Xi has not taken a business delegation. With Trump signing a Russia and Iran sanctions bill, threatening 100 percent tariffs on nations buying oil and gas, Xi’s US visit is being seen more in the backdrop of cooling off tension between Beijing and Washington.

Xi Jinping is accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan; Cai Qi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; and Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

High considerably light delegation reveals that Xi is also moderate in his expectations from Trump. China and the US had faced an eyeball-to-eyeball situation in the tariff war. Later, Washington had backed off after Beijing retaliated tariffs in equal measures.

By holding leverage over supplies of critical minerals and rare earths, China has been able so far to stand to the buying measures of Trump’s foreign policy.

Xi is arriving in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit. Elaborate arrangements have been made for a rousing welcome for him by the Trump administration.

The US-based media is portraying Xi’s visit as an unusual combination of diplomatic pageantry and intense strategic competition.

The two leaders are expected to focus on trade, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, Taiwan and Iran.

With artificial intelligence emerging as a key area for confrontation, Xi and Trump are likely to discuss the issue amid allegations of Chinese companies “stealing” the American technologies.

Also, Xi has carried out significant purges in the People’s Liberation Army, with reports suggesting that the ground for punitive measures included alleged penetration of American sleuths.

While differences between Washington and Beijing are only deepening, geopolitical commentators are arguing that Xi and Trump will stress on managing their widening rift to avoid a direct confrontation. Taiwan remains a key issue between the US and China.

With Trump’s focus evidently more on the Middle East, China is seen comfortable with the dilution of the US interest in the Indo Pacific. That Trump has almost forgotten Quad comes as a comfort multiplier for Beijing.

Xi is likely to reiterate that arms sale to Taiwan will be a red flag for China. Washington, however, remains legally committed to providing Taiwan with the means to defend itself, per bilateral pact.

For India and the wider Indo-Pacific, the important signal from Washington is therefore not whether Trump and Xi produce a spectacular announcement. It is whether the two powers can maintain a working channel while competing over technology, trade, minerals, Taiwan and global influence.