Trump Greets Xi With Rare Airport Welcome | First by US President Since 1962 | 100-Foot Red Carpet

US President Donald Trump gave Chinese President Xi Jinping a rare and grand airport welcome at Joint Base Andrews on 23 September 2026, the first time a US president has greeted a foreign leader at the airport since 1962.

A 100-foot red carpet, 21-person honour guard, B-1 bomber flyover, military platoons, flags and anthems marked the start of Xi’s three-day state visit, which includes a White House dinner, closed-door talks and a National Archives tour. Xi is staying at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.