Xi urges responsible US–China relations as Trump praises ties at state dinner

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the United States and China to act as responsible powers at a White House state dinner on 24 September 2026, as President Donald Trump praised the relationship between the two countries. The dinner followed talks aimed at managing their economic and diplomatic differences. [1] [9]

Both leaders attended with their wives. In his toast, Trump acknowledged that the countries represented different systems but said ties between their peoples endured, adding that “we've never gotten along better”, Reuters reported. [9]

Xi called for a new approach to relations between major powers, according to the speech published by China's Foreign Ministry. He also referred to an understanding reached during Trump's visit to China in May to build a constructive relationship of strategic stability. That objective had already appeared in a White House statement in May; it was not a newly announced framework from this visit. [1] [6]

More time for trade talks

The warm remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an extension of the existing trade truce. Speaking on Fox News on 23 September, he said the two countries had agreed to extend what he called the Busan agreement from 10 November 2026 until 10 January 2027, allowing more time for economic negotiations. [4] [5]

Bessent's announcement concerned an existing arrangement, rather than a comprehensive new trade settlement. China's Commerce Ministry separately said negotiators had discussed implementing earlier understandings, reciprocal tariff reductions and trade and investment councils. Its 24 September briefing reported several understandings but gave no revised expiry date. [3] [5]

Reuters' evening report said there was no sign of breakthroughs on issues including trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan. That assessment concerned the publicly visible results of the talks, not a complete account of what the leaders may have agreed privately. [9]