'A lot has changed': Trump hails Xi as Chinese leader warns 'both lose in conflict'
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump praised his friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while Xi warned that both countries would lose in a conflict during their White House summit on Thursday, September 24.
The leaders discussed trade, artificial intelligence and security, with Xi calling for cooperation and regular military dialogue to prevent confrontation between the two nations.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Xi and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan at the White House on Thursday.
JUST IN - President Trump hails 'truly great friendship' with Chinese leader Xi pic.twitter.com/eemRMAyHVY
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 24, 2026
Trump praises his friendship with Xi Jinping as the leaders meet
Trump said he and Xi had built a close relationship since his first election in 2016, describing their connection as a “truly great friendship” based on mutual respect and the interests of their people.
“We have spent time together all over the world, from Germany to Argentina, Japan to South Korea and Beijing to Palm Beach, Florida,” Trump said.
He noted that this was their first meeting at the White House, despite their previous encounters in other countries.
“A lot has changed since he was last here,” Trump said, referring to Xi’s previous visit to Washington in September 2015.
Xi is the first Chinese leader to make a second formal visit to the White House, Trump said.
The president also pointed to progress on trade, including a new mechanism he said had helped encourage a more balanced trading relationship.
He cited market access for American farmers and ranchers as one example of the work undertaken by their teams.
Trump said the leaders would also discuss security and technology, including decisions about artificial intelligence that he said could shape peace and prosperity for decades.
Xi Jinping warns US and China would both lose in conflict
Xi struck a more cautionary note in his remarks, calling on the two countries to avoid confrontation and maintain regular communication between their militaries.
“Our two militaries should maintain regular dialogue,” Xi said, adding that both sides should “hold the line of no conflict.”
He warned that the consequences of a breakdown in relations would affect both nations.
“We stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in conflict,” Xi said.
The Chinese leader also called for “candid, in-depth, sustained dialogue” to build understanding and mutual trust.
Xi Jinping:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 24, 2026
We should coexist in peace. As I have said many times, China and the United States, as two major countries, stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in confrontation.
We do not need to avoid mentioning competition, but our competition should be a healthy… pic.twitter.com/oXxtu8z1GK
He said the two countries had a responsibility to work together on global problems because their interests were “deeply intertwined.”
Xi said he was willing to work with Trump to “steer the ship of China-US ties,” emphasizing communication and cooperation as part of their relationship.
His remarks came as the leaders discussed security, trade and technology, placing their personal rapport alongside the broader issues facing the two countries.
AI and trade also feature in White House summit
Artificial intelligence was another major subject in Xi’s remarks, with the Chinese leader calling for the two countries to manage the technology responsibly.
With both nations leading in AI, Xi said they had the capability and responsibility to ensure its development served the public good.
He said the countries should “ensure the development of AI is always under human control and serve the well-being of the people.”
Xi also addressed business ties, saying China remained open to American investment and calling for fair treatment of Chinese companies operating in the United States.
“China keeps its door wide open and welcomes American companies who want to do business and invest there,” Xi said. “We hope Chinese companies are treated fairly here in the United States.”
Trump, meanwhile, highlighted the trade work undertaken by the two countries, including the Board of Trade mechanism that he said they created during his visit last May.
The summit marked Xi’s first visit to Washington since 2015, when he and then-President Barack Obama held a joint news conference at the White House.
This time, Trump and Xi made remarks after the arrival ceremony, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of their relationship and cooperation.
