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President Donald Trump literally rolled out the red carpet for Xi Jinping as China’s leader was welcomed to the White House — a remarkable sight given the longstanding rivalry between the two superpowers.
The official state visit started at just after 10 a.m. ET with Trump and first lady Melania Trump walking out of the White House residence onto the South Lawn to greet Xi and Madame Peng.
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During public remarks at the arrival ceremony, Trump noted it was the first time the two were meeting at the White House proper.
“From the time of my first election in 2016, President Xi and I have forged a friendship — a truly great friendship, actually — built on mutual respect and the vital interests of our people,” Trump said.
The Chinese leader, in his opening remarks, said he was visiting the U.S. to “carry on our friendship, expand cooperation and promote well-being of both our peoples.”
He added China and the U.S. have the responsibility to make sure AI is “always under human control and serves the well-being of the people.”
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AI will be one of the thorny issues the two leaders discuss.
