On September 24, 2026, US President Donald Trump interrupted a ceremonial welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, momentarily halting the presentation of the US honors. The interruption occurred when a US fighter jet flew by at a low altitude, startling Trump and prompting him to pause the ceremony. The incident was captured on video, showing Trump suddenly stopping the event and glancing up at the aircraft before whispering and then continuing with the ceremony.
The ceremony, which included a review of the US honor guard and the playing of the national anthems of both countries, was part of a formal welcome for President Xi Jinping, who arrived at the base near Washington, DC. This visit marked President Xi's first trip to the United States in 11 years, coming at a time of heightened tensions between the two nations over trade and geopolitical issues. The two leaders had previously exchanged visits within a six-month span, which was described by Beijing as a "historic milestone."
President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States is scheduled to continue through September 25. His last state visit to the US took place in September 2015, during which he visited Seattle, Washington, and New York City, participating in events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations. He has also visited the US in 2016 for the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington and met with Trump in 2017 at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, President Xi Jinping was expected to discuss key issues related to bilateral relations, as well as global peace and development, during his meetings with President Trump. The two leaders were also anticipated to address ongoing trade tensions and other areas of disagreement between the world's two largest economies.
Prior to President Xi's visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his US counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and noted that Sino-American relations had generally been moving forward on a path of stable and constructive development. This trend, Wang Yi stated, corresponded with the expectations of the international community.
The incident with the low-flying fighter jet occurred as Trump and Xi Jinping were reviewing the honor guard. The video footage showed Trump appearing startled and concerned, momentarily breaking protocol. Despite the unexpected interruption, the ceremony continued, with both leaders proceeding with their planned activities.
The relationship between the United States and China has experienced periods of tension in recent years, particularly under the Trump administration. However, both nations have sought to maintain open lines of communication, with the leaders of the two countries engaging in periodic diplomatic exchanges. The current visit by President Xi Jinping is seen as an opportunity for both sides to discuss areas of mutual interest and address outstanding differences.
Key points
- The incident involving the low-flying US fighter jet momentarily interrupted a ceremonial welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping by US President Donald Trump at Andrews Air Force Base.
- President Xi Jinping's visit to the US is his first in 11 years and comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations over trade and geopolitical issues.
- The two leaders discussed key issues related to bilateral relations, global peace, and development during their meetings.
