International
Xi, Trump Seek New Stability In China-U.S. Relations As Leaders Deepen Cooperation
By Iyojo Ameh
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump have pledged to strengthen communication, expand cooperation and manage differences as they seek to build a more stable relationship between the world’s two major powers.
The commitment was made during Xi’s state visit to the United States, where he met Trump at the White House on Thursday for talks covering bilateral relations, trade, artificial intelligence and major international and regional issues.
Xi said the two countries must turn their shared vision of a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability into practical action.
He called for a relationship based on cooperation, moderate competition, manageable differences and peace, saying China and the United States must find the right way to coexist as major countries.
The Chinese president said the interests of the two countries were deeply intertwined and that both sides could achieve mutual benefit through practical cooperation while managing disagreements through dialogue.
Xi also described the exchange of presidential visits within less than six months as unprecedented in the history of China-U.S. relations.
He recalled that he and Trump had agreed during Trump’s visit to China in May to work towards building a constructive relationship of strategic stability.
According to Xi, the framework reflects the realities of bilateral relations and provides direction for managing competition and differences between the two countries.
Trade Talks Produce New Arrangement
Economic and trade relations featured prominently in the discussions, with Xi saying stability in the relationship requires both countries to expand areas of cooperation and reduce outstanding problems.
He welcomed the latest round of consultations between the economic and trade teams of the two countries, which produced a new joint arrangement.
Xi said the outcome would benefit industries and people in both countries and contribute to the global economy.
He stressed that cooperation must be based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, adding that persistent dialogue could help the two sides find solutions to outstanding issues.
Trump also referred to the latest trade consultations, saying they had produced new outcomes and urging the two sides to continue discussions towards a better agreement.
Xi, Trump Highlight AI Cooperation
Artificial intelligence emerged as another major area for cooperation.
Xi said China and the United States are both major powers in AI and, although they compete in the sector, they have even greater reasons to cooperate.
He called for both countries to use their respective strengths to address AI-related risks rather than focus solely on competition.
Xi proposed continued dialogue on the benefits and risks of AI, as well as cooperation to prevent the misuse and abuse of the technology.
He also called for human control over AI systems and a people-centred approach to ensure that artificial intelligence contributes to human progress.
Trump similarly said AI would have a major bearing on humanity’s future and backed continued dialogue and cooperation between Washington and Beijing.
Taiwan Question Remains A Key Issue
Xi also raised the Taiwan question during the talks, reiterating China’s position on national reunification and territorial integrity.
He urged the United States to oppose what Beijing describes as “Taiwan independence” and to handle the issue cautiously.
Xi said such an approach would help create a stronger foundation for China-U.S. strategic cooperation and bilateral relations.
Wider Global Issues Discussed
The two leaders also exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Ukraine crisis and developments on the Korean Peninsula.
They agreed that China and the United States would support each other in hosting the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Trump described Xi’s visit as a “great visit” and said the United States and China are major countries whose relationship could be managed successfully through continued communication between their leaders.
Xi arrived in Washington on Wednesday for the three-day state visit at Trump’s invitation.
His arrival at Joint Base Andrews was marked by a rare planeside welcome from Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, followed by a red-carpet ceremony, military honours, a 21-gun salute, the playing of both countries’ national anthems and a military flyover.
The visit has attracted international attention as Beijing and Washington seek to maintain high-level engagement while addressing longstanding differences over trade, technology, security and other strategic issues.
For both sides, the talks provide another opportunity to translate presidential-level communication into practical cooperation while keeping disagreements from disrupting broader bilateral relations.
