U.S. President Donald Trump hailed his talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as “extremely positive” on Thursday, in comments made during an opulent banquet in Beijing. The event was attended by top political leaders and prominent American business figures, including X owner Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
During the dinner, Trump announced that he has invited President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan to visit the White House on September 24.
While Washington and Beijing have long clashed over a wide range of issues—including trade, technology, and the status of Taiwan—the evening’s tone was remarkably conciliatory. Xi noted in his remarks that China’s advancement could go “hand-in-hand” with “making America great again,” a direct and rare nod to Trump’s signature political slogan.
Despite the warm atmosphere, underlying tensions remained. Earlier in the day, Xi reportedly warned Trump that any “missteps” by the U.S. regarding Taiwan could push the two superpowers into “conflict.”
