Xi Jinping to Meet Trump in Washington on September 24 but Will Skip the UN General Assembly

According to Politico, as reported by Ecoiran citing Fararu on Tuesday, 27 Mordad 1405 (August 18, 2026), Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Washington next month to meet US President Donald Trump but, contrary to earlier speculation, will not attend the UN General Assembly session in New York. Four people familiar with the trip's planning said Xi is expected to arrive in the US late on September 23, hold meetings with Trump only on September 24 at the White House, and depart on September 25. The White House confirmed the September 24 meeting but declined to comment on any other possible plans for Xi's stay.

Diplomatic circles in Washington had earlier speculated Xi might use the UN General Assembly to present China's views on peaceful international development, in contrast with the US military approach in the war with Iran. Richard Stengel, a former US State Department official under the Obama administration, called Xi's absence from the UN a missed opportunity for China. Xi last addressed the UN General Assembly in person in 2015.