WASHINGTON — Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Washington next week for high-stakes talks with President Donald Trump, as the United States and China seek to stabilize a relationship strained by tariffs, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, rare earth supplies and the war involving Iran.
The leaders are expected to meet at the White House on Sept. 24, in what would be Xi’s first White House visit in a decade and his second meeting with Trump this year. The encounter follows Trump’s visit to Beijing in May and comes as both governments look for economic gains without giving up leverage on their most sensitive strategic disputes.
The visit will be closely watched by investors, U.S. allies in Asia, American farmers, technology companies and businesses dependent on Chinese supply chains. It could produce narrow agreements on trade and commodity purchases, but major breakthroughs on Taiwan, advanced technology controls or geopolitical rivalry remain unlikely.
Trump is expected to seek visible economic wins before November’s midterm elections. Xi arrives with China’s economy on track for a trade surplus of about $1 trillion for a second consecutive year, giving Beijing significant leverage in a relationship where both sides remain deeply dependent on, and distrustful of, each other.
Here is what to know about Xi’s expected Washington visit.
The basic details
Trump is expected to host Xi at the White House on Sept. 24. The planned visit has been described as a state visit, with a formal welcome ceremony and state dinner expected as part of the program.
China had not publicly confirmed the exact details of Xi’s travel as of Friday, which is common for Beijing ahead of high-level presidential travel. Reuters reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng over the weekend in advance of the Trump-Xi summit.
The meeting will be the leaders’ second face-to-face encounter of 2026. Their first came in Beijing in May, when the two sides discussed a broad but still incomplete effort to reduce tariff tensions and preserve a trade truce reached after a period of escalating economic confrontation.
The Washington visit carries unusual importance because the relationship is being tested across multiple fronts at once:
- Trade and tariffs.
- Agriculture and Boeing aircraft.
- Access to critical minerals and rare earths.
- Advanced computer chips and AI competition.
- U.S. support for Taiwan.
- China’s economic ties to Iran.
- Fentanyl precursor chemicals.
- Military and cyber-security risks.
The agenda is large enough that success will likely be measured by whether the two leaders prevent additional deterioration rather than resolve every dispute.
Trade truce is the first test
The most immediate economic question is whether Trump and Xi will extend a tariff truce set to expire Nov. 10.
The truce paused a trade conflict in which both countries threatened tariffs above 100%, risking broader disruption to global supply chains. An extension would provide reassurance to importers, exporters and manufacturers that have been operating under the threat of a renewed tariff escalation.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said the two countries could announce steps related to agriculture and non-tariff barriers. Officials are also watching for progress on a mutual tariff-reduction plan involving about $30 billion in goods.
The meeting is unlikely to settle the overall U.S.-China trade imbalance. China is projected to post a roughly $1 trillion trade surplus for the second straight year, reflecting its strength in exports even as domestic consumption remains uneven.
But a narrower deal could still matter.
For businesses, an extension of the trade truce could reduce uncertainty over pricing, sourcing and inventory. For consumers, it could lessen the risk of new tariffs feeding into prices for electronics, toys, household goods, machinery and other imports.
For both governments, it would create time, not necessarily trust.
| Trade issue | What each side wants | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff truce | U.S. wants leverage; China wants predictability | Whether the Nov. 10 expiration is extended |
| Agricultural trade | U.S. seeks more Chinese purchases | Soybean, corn, sorghum and other farm-product commitments |
| Tariff cuts | Both seek selective relief | Progress on the reported $30 billion reciprocal-reduction package |
| Boeing aircraft | Trump wants a major export announcement | Whether Chinese orders are confirmed or expanded |
| Rare earths | U.S. wants dependable supplies | Commitments on exports to U.S. high-tech and defense industries |
| U.S. technology rules | China seeks fewer restrictions | Whether Washington delays or revises limits affecting Chinese firms |
Boeing and farm exports offer the easiest wins
Trump is expected to seek announcements that can be presented as direct benefits for American workers and exporters.
Boeing aircraft and agricultural goods are the most likely candidates.
China agreed after the May summit to buy an initial 200 Boeing aircraft, according to the company and U.S. accounts. Reuters reported that China has been discussing a much larger possible purchase that could include 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and dozens of wide-body jets.
Any major Boeing agreement would be politically valuable for Trump. It would support a U.S. manufacturer with a large domestic workforce and provide a visible trade outcome from diplomacy with Beijing.
But the agreement is not assured. Aircraft orders are large, complicated transactions involving financing, delivery schedules, engine supplies, aviation regulators and commercial airline demand. The negotiations have also been affected by U.S. threats to restrict China’s access to certain aircraft-engine parts.
Agricultural purchases may be more achievable.
Agricultural exports to China, led by soybeans, totaled about $29 billion in 2024. U.S. officials say China agreed last year to buy 25 million metric tons of American soybeans annually through 2028 and later committed to an additional $17 billion in agricultural purchases. Beijing has not publicly confirmed those agreements, but Reuters reported that China is on track to meet the soybean commitment.
Sorghum and corn could also feature in an announcement, particularly if the United States and China agree to exempt some agricultural imports from a remaining 10% tariff.
For American farmers, such steps would matter more than broad statements about cooperation. China has historically been one of the largest and most important markets for U.S. agricultural exports, and purchases can influence commodity prices, farm income and rural politics.
Taiwan is the most sensitive security issue
No subject carries more military and diplomatic risk than Taiwan.
Beijing claims the democratically governed island as its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under Chinese control. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim.
The United States does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but it is the island’s most important international supporter and arms supplier. Washington’s long-standing policy has been to say it does not support Taiwan independence, while opposing unilateral changes to the status quo.
Xi is expected to press Trump on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
Trump said Xi raised the issue during their May meeting and later described a pending U.S. arms package, valued at up to $14 billion, as a “negotiating chip.”
That description has alarmed U.S. allies and partners in Asia, including Taiwan and Japan. Reuters reported that officials in Taipei and Tokyo worry Trump could soften U.S. support for Taiwan in exchange for trade concessions from Beijing.
China is also expected to seek a shift in official U.S. wording. Beijing reportedly wants Trump to say that the United States “opposes” Taiwan independence, rather than the traditional formulation that it “does not support” it.
The difference may sound semantic. In diplomacy, it is not.
A change could be interpreted as a more direct U.S. alignment with Beijing’s position and could raise questions about Washington’s commitment to Taiwan’s security. It would also likely face strong opposition in Congress.
The most likely outcome is that both sides restate familiar positions and avoid a dramatic shift. But Taiwan will be one of the summit’s most closely watched subjects because even subtle changes in language can have strategic consequences.
Rare earths and advanced chips remain bargaining chips
Trade and security now overlap in the technology sector.
China dominates much of the processing and supply of rare earth elements and other critical minerals used in defense systems, electric vehicles, electronics, renewable-energy equipment, aircraft and advanced manufacturing.
China’s export restrictions have created concern among U.S. companies in sensitive sectors, including aerospace and chipmaking. Reuters reported that while rare-earth materials are flowing again, some U.S. firms still face difficulty securing supplies because Chinese exporters fear retaliation if relations worsen.
Washington wants Beijing to ease restrictions and ensure consistent access to rare earths and other critical minerals.
China, in turn, wants the United States to delay or revise restrictions that could block thousands of Chinese companies from gaining access to advanced U.S. technology.
The dispute over semiconductors is even more difficult.
Since 2022, the United States has imposed broad restrictions on sales of advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to China, seeking to limit Beijing’s ability to develop the highest-end AI and military capabilities. Washington is also considering restrictions on Chinese companies remotely accessing overseas data centers equipped with advanced Nvidia chips.
Trump made a limited exception late last year by allowing sales of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to China. The H200 is not Nvidia’s most advanced chip, but the decision triggered criticism from China hawks in Washington who argued it could still strengthen Chinese AI development.
The summit may produce procedural concessions or further talks. A comprehensive settlement is unlikely because the chip dispute is tied to national security, military power and the global race to develop advanced AI.
AI may produce dialogue, not a deal
Artificial intelligence is expected to be discussed both as an area of rivalry and a possible area for narrow cooperation.
Washington and Beijing view AI as central to economic competitiveness, military capability, cybersecurity and scientific development. But they disagree sharply over chips, technology controls, alleged copying of U.S. models and how much regulation AI companies should face.
U.S. security specialists have urged both governments to establish basic rules for dangerous AI scenarios, including human control over consequential cyberattacks, restrictions on AI involvement in nuclear command systems and a hotline for incidents involving autonomous systems.
The need for such safeguards is growing as AI agents become more capable of running code, accessing tools and taking multi-step actions online.
But diplomatic progress will be difficult.
The United States has accused six Chinese companies of maliciously copying American AI products through a process known as “distillation,” in which output from larger models is used to train cheaper or smaller models. China has denied the allegations.
Trump has also dismissed calls for broad new federal AI rules, while China already regulates AI algorithms and requires some AI-generated content to be labeled.
The likely result is a commitment to continued dialogue about shared risks, not a binding agreement on AI security or model development.
Still, even limited communication could be important. In a crisis, an AI-driven cyber incident or a misunderstanding involving military systems could escalate faster than traditional diplomatic channels can respond.
Iran will test China’s diplomatic leverage
The conflict involving Iran is another issue where Washington wants more from Beijing.
China has close ties with Tehran and is the world’s largest buyer of Iranian oil exports. The United States believes Xi has more influence with Iran than any other major leader, but Beijing has shown little public willingness to use that leverage in a way that serves U.S. objectives.
Washington has also raised concerns about Chinese economic links to Iran and alleged sanctions-evasion mechanisms. Reuters reported last month that China had sold billions of dollars in goods to Iran through such a system, although China’s Foreign Ministry said it was unaware of the alleged arrangement.
Treasury Secretary Bessent has said he will discuss China’s financial ties to Iran with Vice Premier He before the summit, and the issue is expected to be on the leaders’ agenda.
The U.S. position is complicated by the fact that Washington has threatened secondary sanctions but has not imposed penalties on Chinese banks in its recent campaign against Iran-related trade.
China is likely to resist U.S. demands that it reduces energy ties with Tehran, particularly if it sees the issue as part of a larger U.S. effort to control Chinese trade policy.
The best-case outcome may be renewed communication on regional stability and maritime security rather than a major Chinese shift on Iranian oil.
Fentanyl remains a domestic U.S. priority
The Trump administration is also expected to raise the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China.
The overdose crisis remains a major public-health and political issue in the United States. Washington has repeatedly accused Beijing of failing to do enough to stop exports of chemicals used to produce fentanyl.
Trump imposed fentanyl-related tariffs on China in early 2025, although the Supreme Court struck them down in February.
FBI Director Kash Patel said last month that he had formed a new law-enforcement partnership with China aimed at curbing the precursor trade.
The issue is politically salient because it directly affects U.S. communities, law-enforcement agencies and public-health systems. China has previously said it opposes drug trafficking and has cooperated on some enforcement measures, while criticizing U.S. sanctions and tariff policies.
Any announcement of expanded law-enforcement cooperation could give Trump a domestic policy result even if broader trade and security disputes remain unresolved.
What would count as success
Expectations should be measured.
A successful summit would likely include:
- An extension of the tariff truce beyond Nov. 10.
- Agricultural-purchase announcements benefiting U.S. farmers.
- Progress on Boeing aircraft orders.
- Some reciprocal tariff relief or exemptions.
- A commitment to stable rare-earth supply.
- Continued working-level talks on AI and security.
- No surprise shift in U.S. policy toward Taiwan.
- Continued cooperation on fentanyl-related enforcement.
A less successful summit could feature vague statements, no trade-truce extension, new threats over Taiwan or technology, and little progress on Iran or rare earths.
The most likely outcome lies between those extremes: economic announcements that help both leaders claim progress, paired with continued disagreement on the issues that define long-term strategic rivalry.
Xi’s Washington visit will not resolve the contest between the world’s two largest economies. But it may determine whether the relationship enters a more manageable period, or moves toward another cycle of tariffs, technology restrictions and geopolitical confrontation.