Ahead of Xi’s visit, Trump reiterared his support for Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media tycoon who was sentenced to 20 years in prison earlier this year under a security law imposed by Beijing.
Lai, a British citizen, was an influential figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. He was arrested in 2020.
The US president raised Mr Lai’s case with the Chinese leader when he travelled to Beijing back in May, but was told it “is a tough one” and the response “was not positive”.
A White House spokesperson said: “As President Trump stated, he believes Jimmy Lai should be released and he wants to see that happen.
“The United States urges the authorities to grant Mr Lai humanitarian parole.”
Ahead of Mr Xi’s visit, China’s top diplomat in Washington, Xie Feng, said democracy and human rights was among the red lines that could not be challenged, along with Taiwan, China’s political system, and development rights in talks.