Warm welcome, trade truce extended: the takeaways as Xi arrives in US

Chinese President Xi Jinping was greeted on the tarmac by his American counterpart Donald Trump on Wednesday – a rare gesture ahead of their summit. It is Xi’s first state visit to the United States in over a decade and the two leaders met each other at Joint Base Andrews just after 6pm, alongside their wives Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan. Here are the key takeaways.1. Trade truce extendedAs Xi and Peng touched down in America, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the two countries had agreed to extend the Busan trade deal from November 10 to January 10. The truce was previously extended in August.2. Xi’s written speechXi said China and the United States “should be partners rather than rivals” in a written speech released by state news agency Xinhua after his arrival to Washington. Xi said he believed, with the joint efforts of both sides, the visit would yield fruitful results. “The realisation of the great rejuvenation of China and the goal of making America great again can be mutually inclusive – they can reinforce each other and benefit the world,” he said in the speech.Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other Chinese officials step off the plane at Joint Base Andrews. Photo: AFP3. Chinese delegationArriving on the plane with Xi, the Chinese delegation included Cai Qi, the fifth-ranking official in China and Xi’s chief of staff, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Minister of Finance Lan Foan. Vice-Premier He Lifeng and Executive Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu were among those on the tarmac for Xi’s arrival.4. Warm greetingsTrump broke with standard presidential protocol by personally meeting Xi at the airfield. The two leaders, joined by their wives, had a conversation on the tarmac through interpreters.