Trump to wrap up Xi summit with a tour of US archives - Reuters

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to conclude his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday with a visit to the US National Archives in Washington. The tour of the historic facility is expected to serve as a platform for both leaders to emphasize their perspectives on the history and future direction of relations between the United States and China.

The planned visit follows a lavish state summit held at the White House on Thursday. While the high-profile meeting appeared to be heavy on symbolism, it was characterized as light on substance, with no indications of major breakthroughs on key issues dividing the world's two largest economies.

Despite the lack of major breakthroughs, President Trump highlighted progress achieved through a bilateral trade mechanism. He specifically noted what he described as increased market access for American farmers and ranchers. Additionally, both leaders identified artificial intelligence as a potential area for future cooperation between their nations.

During his welcoming remarks to President Xi, Trump noted that the visit to the National Archives would showcase some of the most significant documents in American history. These include the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Trump also stated that the leaders would view artifacts that document the long-standing relationship and cultural exchanges between China and the United States. He compared modern bilateral efforts to those of past generations, stating that just as their ancestors crossed the ocean centuries ago to trade, learn, and build, the two countries continue to pursue similar goals today.

While Chinese officials have not publicly commented on the scheduled visit to the archives, analysts suggest that President Xi may have a particular interest in viewing historical records. Specifically, observers note he may be keen to see documents relating to the historical shift in US diplomatic recognition.