Washington and Beijing extend their 11-month trade truce through January 10 as Trump and Xi begin talks on trade, technology and wider tensions.
WEB DESK: The United States and China have agreed to extend their 11-month trade truce through January 10, 2027, as US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for a three-day state visit.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides had reached an agreement to extend the truce, which had been scheduled to expire on November 10. The extension gives Washington and Beijing additional time to work toward a broader trade agreement.
Trump welcomes Xi to Washington
Trump personally welcomed Xi at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday, marking a high-profile start to the Chinese president’s visit.
The two leaders and their wives greeted each other and posed for photographs during a formal arrival ceremony featuring a military band and a flyover by a B-1 bomber. Reuters reported that it was the first time in 11 years that a US president had greeted a foreign leader at Joint Base Andrews.
Xi is making his first US visit in nearly three years.
In a written statement released by China’s embassy in Washington, Xi said the United States and China should be partners rather than rivals.
Trade truce extended until January
The latest extension moves the deadline for the existing trade arrangement from November 10 to January 10.
Bessent said the additional time would allow officials to continue working on a larger agreement. The extension follows months of negotiations between the world’s two largest economies after their tariff dispute resulted in exceptionally high duties on bilateral trade.
The agreement does not resolve the broader economic disputes between Washington and Beijing.
The countries remain divided over issues including rare-earth minerals, semiconductor export controls, technology, Taiwan and China’s relationship with Iran.
Talks could address tariffs and technology
Trump and Xi are expected to discuss a range of economic and strategic issues during their meetings.
According to people familiar with the preparations cited by Reuters, the talks could produce arrangements involving lower tariffs in specific sectors, cooperation against drug trafficking and expanded military-to-military communication. Artificial intelligence is also expected to feature in discussions between the two countries.
The two governments have also been exploring ways to establish mechanisms for communication over AI-related risks while maintaining intense competition in the technology sector.
Taiwan remains a major point of disagreement
Trade is only one part of the broader US-China relationship.
Taiwan remains among the most sensitive issues between Washington and Beijing. Reuters reported that Xi could raise China’s position on Taiwan during discussions, while Trump is expected to maintain US export controls despite Chinese objections.
The leaders may also discuss China’s role in the conflict involving Iran, although it remains unclear whether Beijing will take steps sought by Washington.
State dinner planned
Xi’s visit includes a state dinner on Thursday expected to bring together senior figures from the technology and business sectors.
Executives from companies including Apple, Nvidia and OpenAI are expected to attend, according to Reuters. The leaders are also scheduled for a White House military ceremony and a visit to the National Archives, where the original US Declaration of Independence and Constitution are housed.
