Trump rolls out red carpet for Chinese Dictator Xi Jinping, a rare gesture for a foreign leader

On September 23, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump personally welcomed Chinese Dictator Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, using a red-carpet arrival ceremony. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greeted the Chinese couple as a military band played, with U.S. and Chinese flags displayed and a military flyover.

Xi’s lavish welcome has drawn attention because U.S. presidents rarely greet foreign leaders personally at the airport. The symbolism is striking: Washington is extending extraordinary ceremonial warmth to the leader of China, a one-party state, as the two countries negotiate over trade, AI, Taiwan and other major strategic issues.

Critics and political figures have argued that“Trump never welcomes leaders from democratic countries in such manner”.