Trump-Xi state dinner: From Elon Musk to Tim Cook, who attended the White House banquet?
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner at the White House, attended by numerous high-profile technology CEOs. The event highlighted the intersection of diplomatic relations and the global technology industry, particularly regarding AI and semiconductors.
Why it matters
The presence of major tech leaders at a high-stakes diplomatic event underscores the critical role of the technology sector in current U.S.-China geopolitical relations.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping for a lavish state dinner at the White House on Thursday (September 25, 2026), following a day of pomp and ceremony that belied deep tensions between the rival superpowers.
Mr. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcomed Mr. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. He presented Mr. Xi with a custom-made statue of a bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.
Several U.S. technology industry leaders attended the banquet, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, underscoring the importance of trade and artificial intelligence during Mr. Xi’s visit.
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