Washington: Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States from September 23 to 25 at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday, confirming a major meeting between the leaders as the two countries seek to address trade, technology and other differences in their relationship.
Xi is expected to meet Trump at the White House on September 24 during his visit. The meeting will be their second face to face meeting this year, following Trump’s visit to Beijing in May.
China said Xi and Trump will exchange views on major issues concerning China US relations as well as world peace and development. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described the reciprocal visits by the two leaders within six months as having historic significance.
The announcement came as senior US and Chinese economic officials held talks in New York on Sunday ahead of the presidential meeting.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng for discussions covering trade, artificial intelligence and critical minerals.
The discussions also produced agreement to establish a US China AI dialogue. Bessent said the United States had proposed a notification mechanism for artificial intelligence incidents that could rise to the level of a national security concern.
Bessent described the discussions as successful. The proposed mechanism is intended to give the two countries a channel to discuss risks linked to increasingly advanced artificial intelligence systems.
The discussions also covered plans to operationalise a Board of Trade process agreed earlier this year to identify possible tariff reductions on non sensitive goods.
The latest talks have not produced a comprehensive new trade agreement. The two countries continue to negotiate over tariffs and other economic issues, while the current trade truce is due to expire on November 10. The truce followed a meeting between Trump and Xi in South Korea last October.
Trade is expected to be a central issue at the Trump Xi meeting. The two sides have been discussing possible tariff reductions on selected non sensitive goods, including consumer products, agricultural goods, energy products and medical devices.
Critical minerals and rare earth materials are also important issues. China has a major role in global rare earth supply chains, while US officials are seeking continued access to rare earth magnets and other critical minerals used by American manufacturers.
Technology remains a major source of tension. Washington and Beijing are competing in artificial intelligence while also discussing ways to address risks linked to the technology. The proposed AI dialogue does not amount to a broad agreement on artificial intelligence. Differences also remain over advanced technology, including US export controls on high end chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Taiwan is also expected to remain a sensitive issue in the relationship. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and strongly opposes US arms sales to the island. Washington maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and has continued to support its defence capabilities. There has been no announcement of a new agreement between Trump and Xi on Taiwan.
The war involving Iran could also feature in the discussions. China has important economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, while Washington has imposed economic pressure on Tehran. The conflict has also affected energy markets and raised concerns about oil supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Xi’s visit follows Trump’s state visit to China in May, when the two leaders discussed trade, investment, critical minerals, agricultural purchases and other economic matters. Their September meeting is expected to build on the discussions and understandings reached during earlier negotiations.
The meeting comes as both governments seek to keep communication open while managing serious differences. The latest New York talks included discussions on trade and artificial intelligence risks, while disagreements over technology, Taiwan, critical minerals and broader strategic issues remain.
The leaders are expected to discuss trade, technology and other major differences when they meet in Washington on September 24.