Xi-Trump summit day 1 highlights: red carpet for China’s leader, Rubio defends visit, and more

We have put together stories from our coverage of Xi and Trump’s meeting in the US so far. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Big picture or big deals? What the Xi-Trump summit holds for China and the USWith the balance of power shifting between the US and China, the success of this week’s summit hinges not on headline-grabbing deals, but on practical, cautious consensus under a new strategic stability framework, according to Chinese researchers.2. Video of US military adjusting red carpet for China’s Xi sparks online backlashA video clip showing uniformed US military personnel on their hands and knees making last-minute adjustments to a red carpet has gone viral online, with critics pointing to the lavish welcome President Donald Trump rolled out for his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews.3. Peng Liyuan and Melania Trump renew acquaintance as Xi arrives in USUS President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. Photo: ReutersChinese first lady Peng Liyuan shared a light moment with Melania Trump on Wednesday as the two women renewed an acquaintance dating back to the Trumps’ first term in the White House.4. Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreementsUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the welcome planned for Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, saying it would be “irresponsible” for the world’s two largest economies to avoid talks at the highest level despite their disagreements.5. Trump grimaces, Xi unfazed during US military flyover for historic tarmac welcomeUS President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping observe a ceremonial flyover at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on September 23, 2026. Xi is visiting the United States until Friday. Photo: AFPAt Joint Base Andrews where Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for the visiting Chinese president, Xi Jinping appeared unfazed during a ceremonial flyover by a screeching US bomber while the US president visibly winced at the noise.6. US restricts visas for birth tourism ahead of Xi’s summit with TrumpHours before Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the US for a high-stakes summit, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved to restrict visas for those who “engage in or facilitate” birth tourism, a practice the Trump administration has increasingly accused China of.7. Trump built a US$5 million White House helipad. Don’t expect Xi Jinping to use itUS President Donald Trump walks on a new helipad to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Monday. Photo: APUS President Donald Trump has been very eager to show off to Chinese leader Xi Jinping his new US$5 million White House helipad, his latest bid to stamp his image on Washington. But do not count on Xi Jinping to actually use it.Further Reading