Story perspectives

Trump Hosts Xi State Dinner With Apple CEOs

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 10:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Trump Hosts Dinner

President Donald Trump will host a White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, inviting tech CEOs.
Tim Cook and Sam Altman are confirmed to attend.
Jensen Huang is expected to join the guest list.
Chinese officials may add BYD founder Wang Chuanfu despite a 100% tariff and blacklist.
The dinner will be held under a tent because the new White House ballroom remains unfinished, due summer 2028.

Summary

Cook Becomes Chairman

Tim Cook became executive chairman of Apple on September 1, 2026 after stepping down as CEO.
In his new role, Cook handles government liaison work and shields successor John Ternus.
Cook co-signed a 2018 letter warning U.S. officials that immigration changes worried thousands of Apple employees.
President Donald Trump urged Apple to drop DEI policies in 2025.
Cook replied the company would obey the law but not compromise its values.

History

Historical Context

President Richard Nixon’s February 1972 visit to Beijing ended 23 years of no U.S.–China diplomatic ties, included a meeting with Premier Zhou Enlai and the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué, and created a template for high-level political-business gatherings. The planned 2028 Trump-Xi dinner echoes that precedent, pairing leaders with tech CEOs to shape trade and policy.

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Trump Hosts Dinner

President Donald Trump will host a White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, inviting tech CEOs.
Tim Cook and Sam Altman are confirmed to attend.
Jensen Huang is expected to join the guest list.
Chinese officials may add BYD founder Wang Chuanfu despite a 100% tariff and blacklist.
The dinner will be held under a tent because the new White House ballroom remains unfinished, due summer 2028.

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