US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House for a state dinner on September 25, 2026. Xi expressed gratitude for the reception provided to him and his wife, highlighting the meticulous care they received. The event was attended by various business leaders, Trump administration officials, and tech CEOs, while protests occurred outside the White House, resulting in some arrests.
During the dinner, both leaders praised each other and committed to ongoing discussions aimed at ensuring stability between the United States and China. However, experts noted that tangible outcomes from their talks have been limited. The dinner marked the second day of Xi's three-day visit to Washington.
Trump thanked Xi for traveling to the US and remarked on the strength of their relationship, stating, "We've never gotten along better." He also presented Xi with a sculpture of a bald eagle, symbolizing America, and mentioned that he and First Lady Melania Trump had participated in its design.
Xi reciprocated with compliments, stating that their bilateral engagements were historic and emphasized the importance of building a constructive China-US relationship. He referred to the historical ties between the two nations, mentioning their shared experiences during World War II and the diplomatic efforts of the Nixon administration.
Guests at the dinner included notable figures such as Elon Musk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and various tech industry leaders like Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai, and Jeff Bezos. The dinner menu featured American ingredients with Chinese influences, including sesame-crusted sea bass and dessert made with White House honey.
Following the dinner, Trump and Xi planned to have tea with their wives and tour the US National Archives, which houses significant documents such as the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Xi and his wife were scheduled to depart Washington later that day.