While Trump has many thorny issues to discuss with the president of America’s biggest economic rival, he focused on his long relationship with Xi as the two gathered with aides for opening remarks before formal talks.
After they toured the helipad and Marine One, Trump and Xi were peppered with questions from reporters about their Oval Office meeting.
Did they talk about Iran? Taiwan? Perhaps artificial intelligence?
But the U.S. president seemed to have only one thing on his mind.
“He likes granite,” Trump said, referring to Xi. “He’s an expert on stone, aside from many other things — and he loves good granite.”
“We had a great meeting” Trump said as the leaders approached the helipad with a green presidential helicopter parked on it. Xi said nothing.
Trump could then be seen gesturing as he showed Xi the letters of the helipad’s presidential seal, prompting Xi to nod.
The leaders later climbed aboard the presidential helicopter, which is known as Marine One when the president is aboard. They could be seen talking to the pilots, though what was said was unclear.
Trump and Xi also appeared to point at the sweeping construction site that is Trump’s planned ballroom, which is being built nearby.
