'Best liar I've ever seen': John Kennedy attacks Xi as Trump praises Chinese leader

WASHINGTON, DC: GOP Senator John Kennedy called Chinese President Xi Jinping “one of the best liars” he had ever seen as Xi met with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Kennedy warned that Xi wants China to control Taiwan, chip manufacturing and space, describing ambitions he said the Chinese leader believes will help China rule the world.

The Louisiana Republican spoke with reporters at the Capitol on Thursday, September 24, as Trump welcomed Xi for his first White House visit in more than a decade.

John Kennedy warns Xi Jinping wants control over Taiwan and technology

Kennedy said he had met Xi and believed that the Chinese president was convinced China would eventually rule the world. 

He pointed to Taiwan, semiconductor production, and space as areas where he said Xi wants greater control.

“He's going to start by taking Taiwan and controlling the chip manufacturing process, and he wants to control chip designs,” Kennedy claimed.

The senator also warned against underestimating Beijing, while making clear he did not want a military conflict with China.

“I don't want to war with China,” Kennedy said. “But China, that China, if you turn the other cheek, they just st*b him.”

Kennedy described Xi as someone who sees the United States as a declining power. 

He also criticized what he portrayed as a difference between China's focus on military technology and America's domestic debates.

Trump praises Xi Jinping and describes their friendship

Trump struck a different tone during his White House remarks, welcoming Xi and recalling the relationship they had developed since his first presidential election in 2016.

“From the time of my first election in 2016, President Xi and I have forged a friendship, a truly great friendship, actually, built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people,” Trump said.

The president also praised the two countries' progress on trade and market access, including opportunities for American farmers.

Trump said the two leaders had made “tremendous strides” for their countries. 

He also described China and the United States as “great countries.”

After their Oval Office meeting, Trump told reporters they had a “great meeting.” 

He did not answer shouted questions about whether they had discussed Taiwan, artificial intelligence or the imprisonment of Hong Kong pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai.

Taiwan and AI remain among summit's key issues

The White House summit took place as Washington and Beijing extended a months-long tariff truce and faced uncertainty around Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan.

Advanced artificial intelligence technology was another area of competition between the two countries.

Trump had identified AI as a major subject of discussion before Xi's visit, writing on social media that it would be a “big topic of discussion.”

During his remarks welcoming Xi, Trump said the leaders would discuss “pressing issues” involving security, technology and AI, which he also called super intelligence.

The visit included an elaborate arrival ceremony featuring military bands and fighter jet flyovers, followed by bilateral talks and a state dinner.

Trump also showed Xi the new White House helipad on the South Lawn and took the Chinese president inside Marine One. 

As Xi prepared to leave, reporters again shouted questions about whether Trump had raised Lai's case. 

Trump again declined to answer, repeating that the meeting had been “great.”