Tamara Keith

Of course, the reality of doing business in China is vastly more complicated than Trump makes it sound.

But this is basically a year after Trump launched a trade war and then China struck back.

And both countries are now looking to put the trade relationship on at least a little bit more of a stable footing.

There were red carpets for miles.

There was a military demonstration with soldiers marching in perfect synchrony.

A military band played the U.S.

national anthem as cannons were fired from Tiananmen Square.

So these kids were perfectly well-behaved, perfectly lined up.

And then once the leaders were out of view, they became real kids.

And they were super wiggly and relieved, I think, to be able to stop performing.

But Trump later remarked on the kids as well.

Earlier this year, Trump said that he told Xi that they should put on the biggest display in the history of China.

But I have to say that although this was impressive, this welcome ceremony really didn't seem all that different from how Trump was received in 2017 when he first visited as president.

Yes.

OK, go on.

You know, it's also a show.

But at this moment in history, Trump and Xi are the decision makers.

They are the negotiators.

And so the state of the relationship between these two nations competing for global dominance comes down to the relationship between two men.

President Trump was greeted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in front of the Great Hall of the People here.