Trump Welcomes Xi to Washington Amid Tensions Over Trade, AI and Taiwan

President Trump welcomed Xi Jinping to the United States, greeting the Chinese leader at Joint Base Andrews at the start of a state visit that includes a formal welcome on the South Lawn of the White House, private tea with the president and first lady, and a tour of the National Archives.

Xi's trip coincides with the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York, though the Chinese leader is not attending that gathering. The White House also invited major technology leaders to a state dinner being held in Xi's honor.

Trade, AI and Taiwan on the Agenda

Topics expected to be discussed between the two leaders include the development of artificial intelligence technology, frosty trade relations, and the status of Taiwan. Ahead of the visit, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US and China agreed to extend the so-called Busan agreement, a temporary trade truce between the world's two largest economies.

Putin Invited to G20 in Miami

Separately, the US has invited Vladimir Putin to take part in a G20 meeting scheduled for December in Miami, which would mark the Russian leader's first attendance at such a summit since launching the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "We hope that's an invitation he'll accept."

Israel Faces Water Supply Crisis

In a separate development, Israel is facing weeks of water shortages after an exceptional algae bloom crippled much of its desalination capacity. Scientists say the crisis was triggered when Israeli attacks destroyed much of Gaza's wastewater infrastructure, causing a large discharge of untreated sewage.