In a display of diplomatic grandeur, Donald Trump hosted Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, at the White House on Thursday. The ceremonial welcome embraced military bands, salutes, and a personal tour of the opulent corridors by Trump, aiming to showcase the stature of the two nations.

During the visit, Xi announced the arrival of two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, at Zoo Atlanta within weeks. This initiative continues a tradition which began after Richard Nixon‘s landmark visit in 1972 when Beijing gifted a pair of pandas to Washington.

Despite the festive atmosphere, the underlying rivalry between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies and military powers, remains palpable, particularly as advancements in artificial intelligence emerge as a new competitive frontier.

Trump underscored this sentiment at the United Nations General Assembly a few days prior, stating, “Whoever wins AI…wins.” He asserted that the U.S. currently leads China in AI, a claim that Xi countered during the visit.

In his opening remarks at the White House, Xi emphasized the need for a “healthy competition” and encouraged both nations to view their interactions as a collaborative race rather than a zero-sum game. “We do not need to avoid mentioning competition, but our competition should be kept within bounds,” he remarked.

Xi also addressed the potential risks of what is termed the “Thucydides Trap,” which suggests that rising powers and established ones are likely to clash. He highlighted the importance of peace, mutual cooperation, and shared responsibilities in managing AI for the greater good.

“China and the United States…stand to gain from cooperation and will both lose in confrontation,” said Xi, recalling the shared history of American and Chinese troops fighting side by side during World War II. He noted, “Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand.”

The summit concluded with visual spectacles, including military displays, affirming the ceremonial ties while implying the underlying complexities that will shape future interactions between the two nations.