For a summit low on expectations but high on optics, Xi delivered a carefully crafted spectacle designed to project China’s status as the foremost peer to the US.

The leaders of the two most powerful countries in the world have spent the past two days at their cordial best, with the Trump administration confident the visit will pay dividends.

Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart conclude their two-day state visit with a cordial working lunch, but behind the scenes, major differences persist.