The China-U.S. relationship remains one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the international system. Competition between the world’s two largest economies has expanded beyond trade to technology, artificial intelligence, supply chains, strategic security and regional affairs. At the same time, extensive economic interdependence and the global consequences of prolonged confrontation have created a shared interest in maintaining dialogue and managing differences.
Against this backdrop, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25, 2026, represented an important effort to stabilize bilateral relations. During his talks with U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House on September 24, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as major international and regional issues, including economic and trade relations, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, the Middle East, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.
