Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping as Xi’s state visit concludes on Friday with a tour of the US National Archives, following a White House summit that highlighted trade and artificial intelligence while leaving major differences over Taiwan and other strategic issues unresolved.
Trump said the two leaders would view historic documents including the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, along with materials reflecting the history and cultural exchanges between the United States and China.
The visit to the National Archives is expected to provide a symbolic conclusion to Xi’s three-day visit, with the two sides seeking to highlight the historical dimension of their bilateral relationship despite continuing strategic differences.
Thursday’s White House summit produced discussions on trade and AI, with Trump highlighting what he described as progress under a bilateral trade mechanism and increased market access for US farmers and ranchers. The two leaders also identified artificial intelligence as an area where the two countries could cooperate.
However, the meeting did not result in a major breakthrough on several of the most sensitive issues in US-China relations. Taiwan remained a central point of contention, with Xi urging Washington to handle the Taiwan issue with prudence and calling on the US to oppose Taiwan independence, according to Chinese state media.
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Beijing has long sought clearer US opposition to Taiwan independence and an end to American arms sales to the island. Washington, while maintaining no formal diplomatic relations with Taipei, is legally required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
The issue is being closely watched by US allies in Asia, particularly following Washington’s recent decisions on arms sales to Taiwan. Reuters reported that the Trump administration had approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan while another package worth about $14 billion had been held in abeyance.
The summit also drew criticism from some US lawmakers. Senate Democrats said Trump had failed to secure what they regarded as meaningful concessions from Beijing on trade, security, artificial intelligence and human rights, while urging the administration to move ahead with approved military assistance and arms sales to Taiwan.
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Beyond Taiwan, the leaders also exchanged views on wider international issues, including the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula, according to China’s official readout.
The latest meeting marks another effort by Washington and Beijing to manage competition while maintaining dialogue on areas of mutual interest. Xi’s visit, which runs from September 23 to 25, is the second reciprocal meeting between the two leaders within six months.
The National Archives visit will bring the state visit to a close as both sides continue efforts to manage differences over trade, technology, Taiwan and broader strategic relations.
