Trump Hosts Xi at White House Dinner, Sidesteps Taiwan Rift

President Donald Trump has paused a $14 billion (£11 billion) arms package for Taiwan even as he hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner at the White House on Thursday, with the two leaders exchanging praise while leaving the sale, trade tariffs and artificial intelligence policy unresolved, according to the BBC.

The dinner marked Xi's first visit to the United States in over a decade, the BBC reported, and drew billionaire business leaders and US tech CEOs as guests. Outside the White House gates, protesters gathered and some were arrested, according to the BBC's reporting from Washington.

What did Trump and Xi say at the dinner?

Trump told attendees the two countries had "different systems" but had "never gotten along better," toasting a future of "harmony, peace and success" for both nations, the BBC reported. Xi called the moment a "historic juncture" in US-China relations, saying both leaders' ambitions could "surely be mutually reinforcing."

Xi also said the two sides had shared "in-depth exchanges and reached common understanding on many issues," per the BBC, though the outlet found little detail was offered publicly on the substantive disputes separating Washington and Beijing. On artificial intelligence, Xi said the technology should remain "under human control" and that both nations should act "as responsible major countries," but the BBC reported no further specifics emerged on what progress, if any, the two leaders made on AI policy during their talks.

Why is the $14 billion Taiwan arms package stalled?

Trump delayed approving the $14 billion arms package for Taiwan after Xi warned in May that mishandling the issue could cause the two countries to "collide or even enter into conflict," according to the BBC. The United States is legally bound to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, the BBC noted, even as the self-governing island remains a territory Beijing claims as its own.

Earlier on the day of the dinner, Xi urged Trump to take the "correct position" on Taiwan, the BBC reported. Chinese state media separately reported that Xi, in closed-door remarks, advised Washington to handle the Taiwan issue "with prudence." The BBC said Washington had not yet publicly responded to those remarks as of publication.

What trade and technology issues remain on the table?

Trump had been expected to pursue deals during the visit covering trade and tariffs, including lower Chinese tariffs on American goods, increased Chinese purchases of US agricultural products, and expanded Chinese exports of rare earth minerals to the United States, according to the BBC. The report did not indicate that any of these arrangements were finalized or announced at the dinner itself.

What happened outside the dinner?

As Trump, Xi and their guests arrived for the lavish event Thursday night, protesters gathered just outside the White House gates and shouted, the BBC reported. Some protesters were arrested, according to the outlet, though the BBC did not specify a number of arrests or the protesters' specific grievances.

Timeline of the Trump-Xi standoff over Taiwan

• May 2026: Xi warns Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could cause the US and China to "collide or even enter into conflict," per the BBC.
• Following the warning: Trump delays approval of the $14 billion Taiwan arms package.
• Thursday, earlier in the day: Xi urges Trump to take the "correct position" on Taiwan; Chinese state media reports Xi separately advised Washington to act "with prudence" on the issue.
• Thursday night: Trump and Xi attend a White House state dinner with business and tech leaders; protesters are arrested outside the gates.
• Friday, 06:42 BST: BBC publishes its account of the dinner and the unresolved issues between the two leaders.

Data box

• $14 billion (£11 billion): Value of the Taiwan arms package Trump has paused, per the BBC.
• Over a decade: Length of time since Xi's last visit to the United States before this trip, according to the BBC.

What to watch

• Whether Trump moves to release or further delay the $14 billion Taiwan arms package.
• Any confirmation from Beijing on lowering tariffs on US goods or from Washington on new agricultural export commitments.
• Whether either government issues a joint statement on AI oversight beyond Xi's "human control" language.
• Washington's formal response to Xi's reported private remarks urging "prudence" on Taiwan, which the BBC says remained unaddressed as of the dinner.