Trump and Xi wrap up visit, plan two more meetings later this year

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday announced that he expected to meet President Donald Trump two more times before the end of the year, as the two wrapped up their state visit in Washington.

Xi extended an invitation for Trump and first lady Melania Trump to go to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit in Shenzhen, China, in November. He also noted that they could meet again a month later at the G20 summit at the Trump National Doral Miami golf club in Florida.

The three-day state visit did not result in major breakthroughs over issues involving trade or artificial intelligence safety. However, Xi said that during this visit, the two countries agreed to a stable relationship based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity. Xi described Trump’s actions during the visit as done to the highest perfection with thought in every detail.

What is the administration saying about the visit? Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Trump’s relationship with Xi on Wednesday while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The United States and China have the two largest economies and seemingly the most powerful militaries in the world, and that relationship will define the 21st century, Rubio said. It would be irresponsible and outrageous for the highest levels of leadership not to interact despite having strong disagreements, he added. Rubio noted how regular meetings between U.S. officials and the Soviet Union during the Cold War helped prevent an actual war from breaking out. The United States had heavy friction with China over trade, supply chains, and critical minerals, so it’s only responsible for leaders of the two countries to meet with one another, he added.

Dig deeper: Read Joanna Insco’s report about protests and counterprotests staged during the visit.