Trump-Xi Summit in Washington: Trade Truce Extended as Major Differences Remain

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet at the White House in Washington.

 WASHINGTON, September 25, 2026 — US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a high-profile summit at the White House on Thursday, with trade, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and broader US-China relations among the key issues in focus.

The meeting began with an elaborate ceremonial welcome for Xi, who is making a state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25. Trump described his relationship with Xi in warm terms, while the talks highlighted the continuing effort by both countries to manage strategic competition.

One significant development came before the summit, when the United States and China agreed to extend their existing trade truce by two months, from its previously scheduled November 10 expiry to January 10, 2027. The extension gives negotiators more time to work on broader trade issues.

However, major disagreements remain. Taiwan, advanced technology, artificial intelligence and US-China trade continue to be sensitive issues. Reuters reported that the summit produced no clear breakthrough on several of these disputes.

The summit nevertheless provides another opportunity for Washington and Beijing to maintain direct communication while attempting to prevent tensions from escalating.