President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet at the White House on Thursday for high-stakes talks on trade, artificial intelligence and the Iran war, amid displays of military fanfare and a lavish banquet. While China analysts broadly predict that the leaders’ personal relationship and political goals will result in a cautious summit that will produce few major results, their latest face-to-face nevertheless carries real geopolitical risk. where he was greeted on the tarmac by Trump, who met him on the steps of the plane after walking a red carpet that U.S. service members had rolled out. It was the first time Trump had traveled to the base to host a foreign leader, a source familiar confirmed to CNBC on condition of anonymity to discuss the president’s plans for the summit. The last president to make the gesture was Barack Obama, who greeted then-Pope Francis at Andrews Rink 11 years ago this week. On Thursday morning, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will welcome Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan to the White House for an “arrival ceremony” on the State Floor. It is Xi’s first visit to Washington since September 2015, arriving in the capital just after the Pope. The leaders will then head to the Rose Garden for a military review, after which Trump and Xi will hold a bilateral meeting, while Melania Trump and Madame Peng branch off for a separate event. That evening, Trump and the first lady will host the Chinese delegation for a state dinner in the East Room of the White House, and leaders from both countries are expected to deliver remarks at the top of the event. Read more CNBC politics and politics coverage A host of American business executives are scheduled to join the dinner. Reuters had reported that Xi was expected to bring in his own team of CEOs, but that entourage failed to materialize. On Friday, the presidents and first ladies will have a private tea at the White House and then tour the National Archives before Xi’s departure. “President Xi hosted President Trump in China for a historic summit this summer, and President Trump reciprocates his hospitality by welcoming the Chinese delegation for a reciprocal visit this week,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told CNBC in a statement. “The president will build relationships with anyone to advance our national interests and achieve good deals for the American people,” Kelly added. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
