Washington, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the ongoing Iran war will be among the issues he discusses with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their White House talks on Thursday, as the two sides also face negotiations on trade, technology and other global issues.
Trump indicated on Wednesday evening that Iran would feature in his discussions with Xi after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to provide a detailed agenda for the meeting.
“I’ll be talking about that and many other subjects,” Trump told reporters, confirming that Iran would be among the matters raised.
Xi arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday for a three-day US state visit and was personally received by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The welcome featured a red carpet, ceremonial honours and a military flyover. The White House has scheduled a formal state arrival ceremony on Thursday, followed by bilateral engagements and a state dinner.
The summit comes as Washington and Beijing seek to manage tensions over trade, technology and geopolitical issues, including Iran. Reuters reported that the two leaders are also expected to address Taiwan and artificial intelligence concerns.
Trade has already featured in discussions between senior US and Chinese officials. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Chinese representatives in New York on Sunday, while earlier talks included discussions on AI safety and a possible mechanism for notifying each other about AI-related national-security incidents.
Rubio said the US would discuss matters it considers relevant and important but did not specify what Washington would ask Beijing to do regarding Iran or the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He also reiterated the US position that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon and said Washington remained open to a negotiated agreement.
Agricultural trade is another issue being raised in Washington. Republican Senator Pete Ricketts and Representative Zach Nunn have called for dependable Chinese purchases of US soybeans and improved access for American beef.
Technology is also expected to figure prominently. Seventeen Democratic senators, led by Chris Van Hollen, have urged Trump to pursue an AI safety framework with China, including common testing standards, oversight of advanced systems and consideration of a mutual pause in development. These are congressional requests and do not represent a confirmed agreement between the two governments.
The issue of Americans detained abroad is also expected to be part of US representations. Rubio said cases involving detained Americans are raised in US engagements with countries holding them. Senator Ted Budd has separately urged Trump to raise religious freedom concerns and seek the release of detained Americans and religious figures in China.
The White House schedule continues on Friday with a tea for the two presidential couples and a visit to the National Archives. No joint outcome document had been announced ahead of the talks.
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