US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House for a state dinner on September 25, 2026. The event was attended by various business leaders, Trump administration officials, and US tech CEOs. Protests occurred outside the White House during the dinner, with some protesters reportedly arrested.
Both leaders expressed mutual respect and pledged to continue discussions aimed at ensuring stability between the United States and China. However, experts noted that previous talks have not yielded significant results. The dinner marked the second day of Xi's three-day visit to Washington.
Trump thanked Xi for his visit, stating, "We've never gotten along better," and highlighted the historical relationship between the two nations. He presented Xi with a sculpture of a bald eagle, symbolizing America, and mentioned that he and First Lady Melania Trump were involved in its design.
Xi expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown to him and his wife, describing their experience as one of "meticulous care and consideration." He emphasized the importance of building a constructive relationship between the two countries, referencing their shared history, including cooperation during World War II and the Nixon administration's diplomatic efforts.
The dinner featured a menu that combined American ingredients with subtle Chinese influences, including yellow squash, wild mushrooms, sesame-crusted sea bass, and dessert made with White House honey. Notable attendees included tech executives such as Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk.
Following the dinner, Trump and Xi planned to have tea with their wives and tour the US National Archives, which houses key documents such as the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Xi and his wife are scheduled to depart Washington later in the day.