Bangladesh, Sept. 24 -- Chinese President Xi Jinpings state visit to the United States has placed the worlds most consequential bilateral relationship at the center of global diplomacy. Xi arrived in the United States on September 23 at the invitation of President Donald Trump for a three-day state visit, his first such visit to the country in more than a decade. The trip comes only months after Trumps state visit to China, creating an unusually rapid sequence of reciprocal presidential diplomacy.

The symbolism is difficult to miss. Trump personally greeted Xi at Joint Base Andrews, while the White House scheduled a formal state arrival ceremony and state dinner. The highly choreographed welcome reflects the political importance Washingt...