Trump Invites Xi Dinner Guests to See White House Ballroom

President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a White House state dinner on Thursday, September 24, where both leaders spoke of cooperation and Trump invited guests to visit the unfinished ballroom under construction at the White House. The invitation was made during the dinner, but accounts do not confirm that guests took the tour. Trump described the ballroom as about a year from completion and said guests could walk through the construction site after the evening’s entertainment. The remarks offered a glimpse of the project to those attending the dinner, held in honor of Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Trump also said the United States and China represented different systems while their peoples’ ties endured. Xi said his discussions with Trump had produced common understanding on many issues and called for the countries to build a constructive relationship. He urged the two governments to maintain communication and manage their differences. The statements were toasts and public remarks at the dinner; they did not establish that the leaders had reached agreements on the issues facing the two countries.