President Trump took Chinese President Xi Jinping on a personal tour of his ongoing White House renovation projects during Thursday's state visit, showcasing the new granite landing pad for Marine One and the East Wing construction site where a new ballroom is taking shape.
Standing on the South Lawn, Trump pointed out the newly installed helipad, which he had ordered as part of his broader overhaul of the presidential residence. "We had a great meeting, and he has great interest in granite," Trump told reporters, adding, "He's an expert in stone, aside from many other things — and he loves good granite."
The two leaders also walked through what Trump called his "Presidential Walk of Fame," where he has installed a portrait of former President Biden alongside an autopen — a pointed reference to Trump's frequent criticism that Biden used the device to sign official documents. "This is the autopen because it's Biden," Trump said, slapping Xi on the arm as both laughed.
Xi's visit marks his first state visit to the United States in more than a decade, following his 2015 meeting with then-President Barack Obama. The occasion has drawn criticism even from within Trump's own party. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said in a Tuesday floor speech that he would have advised Trump "not to invite Xi Jinping to Washington for such a lavish welcome."
The welcome for Xi was notably grand, beginning with his arrival at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, where he and First Lady Peng Liyuan were greeted by President and Melania Trump at the foot of a 100-foot red carpet. The ceremony included a cannon salute, a 21-person honor cordon, and color guards waving both U.S. and Chinese flags. This elaborate reception came after Xi's earlier visit to Beijing, where Trump was treated to a military display and schoolchildren waving flags.
Trump has frequently expressed admiration for China's Great Hall of the People, a sprawling 1.8 million-square-foot venue in Tiananmen Square that hosts state functions and legislative sessions. He has compared his own ballroom project to that iconic structure, telling a GOP convention in Dallas earlier this month, "We're building something that's going to be the most beautiful anywhere in the world. When I was in China, they have a building. It's called the Great Hall of China. It's a serious hall. This is a very large hall, but we're going to top it."
The president acknowledged that the ballroom would not be finished in time for Xi's visit, but the tour nonetheless underscored Trump's desire to showcase his domestic legacy. The visit has also sparked debate over the administration's approach to China, with some GOP senators urging Trump to press Xi on issues like Iranian military aid and human rights, including the case of detained journalist Min Zin.
Meanwhile, the state dinner guest list is dominated by tech executives, reflecting the intertwined interests of both nations in technology and AI. Tech titans are expected to attend, even as the two leaders have differing views on global AI rules. The visit continues amid ongoing trade tensions and a court ruling that blocked a press ban, adding layers of complexity to the summit.
