By Trevor Hunnicutt and David Brunnstrom
WASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump will follow up his summit with Xi Jinping by taking the Chinese leader on Friday to the US National Archives, where they are expected to stress views about the history and direction of ties between their countries.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping stand inside the White House ahead of a state dinner in Washington, D.C., US, September 24, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper© Thomson Reuters
Thursday’s lavish state summit at the White House appeared heavy on symbolism but light on substance, with no sign of major breakthroughs between the world’s biggest economies.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the White House ahead of a state dinner in Washington, D.C., US, September 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein© Thomson Reuters
Still, Trump highlighted progress under a bilateral trade mechanism, citing what he described as increased market access for US farmers and ranchers, while both leaders identified artificial intelligence as an area for cooperation.
Trump said in remarks welcoming Xi they would see some of the greatest treasures of US history at the National Archives, including the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
They would also see “artifacts testifying to the long and cherished relationship” between China and the United States and their “cultural exchanges,” he said.
“Just as our ancestors reached across the ocean centuries ago to trade, to learn, and to build a better world, our two countries do really the same thing, and we’re very proud of it and the relationship,” Trump said.
