Trump, Xi tout AI as key to U.S-China relationship during White House visit
by Jeff Mordock, Kerry Picket · The Washington TimesPresident Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to the White House on Thursday for a state visit to kick off two days of talks between the two largest economies’ leaders.
Mr. Xi’s arrival included the usual pomp and circumstance reserved for state visits, including marching bands and honor guards.
In remarks, Mr. Trump highlighted his relationship with the Chinese president, saying they made several gains during past meetings, including the creation of an entity to manage trade between the two nations and Beijing’s commitment to purchasing U.S. soybeans.
Mr. Trump, standing at a podium in the Grand Foyer of the White House beside Mr. Xi, said the two will discuss artificial intelligence as a way to promote peace.
“During this visit, we will also discuss pressing issues concerning security, technology and superintelligence — SI,” Mr. Trump said, using his new moniker for AI. “The decisions we make in these areas today can promote peace and prosperity for decades and decades to come.”
Mr. Trump also hailed new trade progress between the U.S. and China, saying he and Mr. Xi “have made tremendous strides on issues facing our two countries.”
He referenced his trip to Beijing in May, which led to the creation of the Board of Trade, a mechanism to promote the exchange of nonsensitive goods between the U.S. and China.
“Our teams have been working to encourage a more balanced trading relationship, including the new market access for American farmers and ranchers,” Mr. Trump said.
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In his remarks, Mr. Xi offered several proposals to boost cooperation between the U.S. and China, including increasing direct flights between the two nations to expand trade, inviting 100,000 young Americans to visit China for cultural exchanges and study over the next five years, and announcing the arrival of two Chinese pandas – Ping Ping and Fu Shuang – at the Atlanta zoo.
Mr. Xi vowed that Beijing “is willing to strengthen cooperation” with U.S. law enforcement to crack down on fentanyl being shipped out of China to America and pledged cooperation on artificial intelligence.
“We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people,” he said.
He added, “China and the United States, as two major countries, stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in competition.”
Later Thursday, the two leaders will participate in a gift exchange, watch a military platoon review, then hold bilateral talks in the Oval Office. Topics during the meeting are expected to include trade, AI, fentanyl, Beijing’s Taiwan aggression and expanding U.S. access to China’s rare earths.
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The visit will culminate Thursday with a lavish state dinner attended by luminaries from politics, entertainment and business. The White House guest list for the gala includes tech heavyweights such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Apple’s Tim Cook, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and SpaceX’s Elon Musk.
On Friday, the two leaders will tour the National Archives and review documents and exhibits that highlight the relationship between the U.S. and China.
Mr. Xi last visited the U.S. in 2017, when he met Mr. Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. This state visit marks the third time the men have met in under a year, following a meeting in Busan, South Korea, in October and in Beijing in May.
When Mr. Xi and his wife arrived at the White House, the Trumps greeted them on the red carpet. Military members held American and Chinese flags, and a band played on the balcony above the leaders.
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The two leaders and their wives shook hands, and Mr. Trump patted Mr. Xi on the arm as the Chinese president took his place next to the American president. They then headed inside for remarks.
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Jeff Mordock
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Kerry Picket
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