Trump suggests September 24 as potential date for Xi Jinping visit

US President Donald Trump said on July 6, 2026, that he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Washington around September 24, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Trump mentioned the potential visit while discussing plans to build a larger White House ballroom, suggesting it would accommodate crowds eager to see Xi. “For instance, President Xi is coming here in the — toward the end of Sept. 24, I believe,” Trump stated. “What we need is a big ballroom; we could hold thousands of people to see him. Everyone wants to see him.” The visit would align with the annual high-level UN General Assembly meeting, where Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech on September 22. Xi has attended the General Assembly only once since taking office in 2012. Trump and Xi last met in May 2026 during a high-profile summit in Beijing aimed at improving bilateral ties amid tensions stemming from the Iran war. While efforts to strengthen economic and trade relations have shown some progress, key geopolitical issues remain unresolved, including the Middle East, Taiwan’s status, and Trump’s push to reinstate tariffs.