The rehearsal, captured on the north lawn of the White House, signals the scale of the ceremony planned for Xi’s arrival, marking his first visit to the executive mansion in more than ten years.
Experts interviewed by the outlet describe the summit as “more a spectacle than a summit.” Kurt Campbell, co‑founder of The Asia Group and former deputy secretary of state, warned that expectations are low and substantive outcomes are unlikely. His former colleague Evan Medeiros, who served as the China lead on the National Security Council, echoed the sentiment, saying there has been “no serious preparation” and that the meeting is largely about optics.
Despite the theatrical focus, the agenda includes several high‑stakes topics, notably artificial intelligence, which both nations view as a critical frontier in their strategic rivalry. The two leaders are also expected to discuss extending the one‑year trade truce that was brokered in Busan, South Korea, last year.
Trade talks could also touch on low‑hanging fruit such as increased U.S. soybean purchases by China and the establishment of an AI dialogue channel, a subject raised in recent discussions between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
The visit comes at a politically charged moment for both sides. Trump faces a looming midterm election, while Xi is preparing for the Chinese Communist Party’s fifth plenum, a key policy‑setting meeting. Analysts note that Xi is likely to arrive with a heightened sense of confidence about China’s global standing.
The itinerary includes a personal greeting at Joint Base Andrews, a second arrival ceremony at the White House, a military review in the Rose Garden, and a fly‑over featuring a B‑2 Spirit bomber and four F‑22 Raptors. First ladies Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan will tour the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, followed by a state dinner in the East Room attended by tech CEOs such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Michael Dell, Jensen Huang and Tim Cook, as well as banking chief Jane Fraser.
Campbell observes that Trump appears focused on the visual impact of the visit, noting the president’s comfort in dealing with authoritarian leaders and his desire to showcase American power and prestige through the ceremony.
Some observers caution that the elaborate display may mask deeper strategic concerns, including China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo‑Pacific and its use of the summit to project a veneer of stable relations while testing U.S. resolve in the region.