Trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan are on the agenda as bipartisan lawmakers also press the president to raise religious persecution in China
President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House Thursday for Xi’s first visit to Washington in more than a decade.
The two leaders enter the talks amid continued competition over trade, artificial intelligence and advanced technology, along with tensions involving Taiwan and Iran. The meeting follows President Trump’s personal welcome of Xi at Joint Base Andrews Wednesday evening.
Religious freedom is also receiving attention ahead of the summit. Sens. Ted Budd, R-N.C., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., led a bipartisan letter asking President Trump to raise the cases of pastors and other people detained for their faith in China. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom separately called on the president to address China’s treatment of Christians and other religious minorities.
The White House has scheduled bilateral talks Thursday along with a formal state dinner.
Sources: Reuters; U.S. Senator Ted Budd; The White House
