President Donald Trump welcomed Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for a state visit.

Trump said he and Xi had built a "truly great friendship" since his first election in 2016.

He focused on that relationship during opening remarks before formal talks.

Xi struck a more pointed tone in public.

He said the two countries' interests are "deeply intertwined."

He added that competition should stay "healthy" and within bounds.

He also warned against the "Thucydides trap."

This is the idea that a rising power and an established one often end in war.

Xi said the relationship should be a race of catching up.

It should not be a contest where one side wins and the other loses.

The two sides agreed on Wednesday to extend a one-year trade truce by two months.

It had been set to expire on Nov. 10.

Xi urged Trump to handle the Taiwan issue "prudently," according to Chinese state media.

China wants the U.S. to permanently halt arms sales to Taiwan.

It also wants looser export restrictions on advanced chips.

Trump has called arms sales to Taiwan a "very good negotiating chip."

Xi also announced that China will invite 100,000 American youth to study there over the next five years.

He said China will send two pandas to the Atlanta zoo.

Both leaders said artificial intelligence was high on the agenda.

Xi said AI development must stay under human control.

Trump's red-carpet welcome drew criticism from lawmakers in both parties.

This included Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss.