Xi arrives in Washington ahead of Thursday dinner with Trump
Trump and Xi are set to speak at a state dinner at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, with the trade truce and seized F-35 parts on the agenda
Published · Updated
UpdateWednesday, September 23, 2026 at 8:50 PM ET
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after meeting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng that the United States is open to a larger trade deal with China. The seized F-35 parts came from an Australian F-35 jet: a cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door shipped toward the US in late May on a UPS flight that was diverted to Hong Kong, where Chinese authorities took them. The current truce, reached in Busan, is temporary, and Wednesday's arrival gives both sides a direct channel to discuss whether to extend it or negotiate a broader deal.
The temporary US-China trade truce expires November 10, and that deadline is expected to come up when Trump hosts Xi. Negotiators from both sides are already discussing a broader deal ahead of that expiration.
Xi said his U.S. visit is sure to be fruitful with joint efforts, and that he expects it to produce fruitful results. He said the historical logic of peaceful coexistence between China and the U.S. has not changed, and that he is confident the two countries can find the right way to get along.
Senate Democrats are pressing Majority Leader Thune for votes on China chip export bills, including the AI Overwatch Act, the Match Act and the Chip Security Act, as Xi arrives in Washington.
Both leaders have already signaled openness to engagement on trade and other issues. With a broader deal already under discussion ahead of the November deadline, the dinner looks like a routine diplomatic checkpoint rather than a catalyst for major movement. Investors should expect tactical positioning rather than surprises.