Xi Jinping hosted a grand opening ceremony for Donald Trump earlier this morning at the Great Hall of the People.
As Trump and Xi walked into the Hall, a Chinese military band played both the US and Chinese national anthems. The military band also played "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Present at this morning's ceremony were several US officials, including: Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, US Trade Reprentative Robert Lighthizer, communications director Hope Hicks, staff secretary Rob Porter, press secretary Sarah Sanders, US ambassador to China Terry Branstad, chief of staff John Kelly, social media director Dan Scavino, National Security Adviser HR McMaster and senior adviser Jared Kushner. Watch Xi shake hands with all of them:
After the ceremony, representatives from both countries held talks on Sino-US relations and signed a trade deal worth USD250 billion. Several top business leaders from companies like General Motors, GE, Goldman Sachs were present.
After the meetings, the two leaders held a joint statement and spoke to the press.
READ MORE: 5 Key Things Xi Jinping and Donald Trump Talked About in Beijing Today
In a controversial quote making the rounds online today, Trump had this to say about the trade deficit during the talks:
"I don't blame China. After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for benefit of their citizens? I give China great credit.
“But in actuality I do blame past administrations for allowing this out of control trade deficit to take place and to grow. We have to fix this because it just doesn’t work … it is just not sustainable.”
The conference concluded with Trump telling Xi: "I want to thank you, you're a very special man."
While the leaders were talking, the First Wives visited students at a nearby primary school.
Like he did after yesterday's Forbidden City tour, Trump took to Twitter (from behind the Great Firewall) to gush about the opening ceremony. He tweeted: "President Xi, thank you for such an incredible welcome ceremony. It was a truly memorable and impressive display."
He also vowed to build an "even STRONGER relationship between the United States and China."
Trump also changed his cover photo again:
Oh yeah, and today marked one year since Trump was elected, so he tweeted this:
Trump concludes his three-day visit to the Middle Kingdom tomorrow.
Click here to see more coverage of Trump's visit to Beijing.
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