President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday as the latter arrives for a state visit. Senior administration officials confirmed the plan to reporters, noting that the President’s personal presence at the airport is an atypical move for such diplomatic arrivals.

While state visits typically involve formal welcoming ceremonies at the White House or designated arrival points, the decision to meet the Chinese leader directly on the tarmac is a notable deviation from traditional protocol. The administration has not yet provided a detailed explanation for why this specific approach was chosen for President Xi’s arrival. The meeting is expected to set the tone for the broader discussions scheduled during the state visit, which will cover various bilateral issues between the United States and China. As of now, the logistics of the arrival remain focused on this direct greeting, with further details regarding the state visit itinerary expected to be released following the initial meeting.