<p>President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping compared the lengths of their respective countries’ histories during a visit to the National Archives on September 25, 2026.</p>
<p>“We’re just comparing,” Trump told reporters in the National Archives’ rotunda. “Ours goes 250 years. Which is great, and we’re proud of. Theirs goes 6,000 years. So there’s a little difference between 6,000 and 250. But we’re very proud of our 250.”</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img alt="National Archives" class="wp-image-4743099" height="682" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AP26268590411564_717d82.jpg" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, with Bradford Wilson, archivist of the United States, visit the National Archives on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The visit was intended to underscore the importance of democratic principles instilled in U.S. documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, to Xi.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img alt="National Archives" class="wp-image-4743101" height="682" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AP26268588363816.jpg" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other documents at the National Archives. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan, also told reporters that he and Xi had a productive meeting.</p>
<p>“Great for the farmers,” he said. “Great for everybody.”</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img alt="National Archives " class="wp-image-4743104" height="682" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AP26268587527020.jpg" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Trump looks up during the National Archives tour. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Amid reports that Trump asked Xi not to assist Iran during the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Trump confirmed that the two leaders discussed Tehran and expressed optimism regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.</p>
<p>During an earlier morning tea at the White House, Trump reiterated that he and Xi had “a tremendous visit” and that “we’ve really enjoyed it.”</p>
<p>“We’ve made tremendous strides,” Trump said. “We’ve made great strides, very positive for both countries. So, thank you very much, and we appreciate the fair coverage. It’s been very fair,” he added.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img alt="Tea" class="wp-image-4743105" height="682" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AP26268560587596.jpg" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">U.S. and Chinese leadership talk over tea in the Red Room of the White House. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Trump continued: “I think our farmers are going to be very happy. A lot of very positive things happened, but America is very happy about this visit, and I’m sure China is very happy also. Great things for both countries, and it’s been just very, very productive.”</p>
<p>Xi and his wife are scheduled to depart Washington on Friday afternoon after Wednesday’s arrival ceremony and Thursday’s state visit and dinner.</p>
<p>The pair could see each other again in November, when China hosts the APEC Summit, and in December, when the U.S. hosts the Group of 20 summit at Trump National Doral Golf Club in Florida.</p>