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One World with Zain Asher

Trump and Xi Share Tea, to Tour National Archives as Xi Wraps Trip; Sources: Intel from Chinese Groups Helping Iran Target U.S. Sites; Iranian President: It's up to Washington to End the War; Trump Wraps Up Xi Visit with Tour of National Archives; Nepal's PM: "Climate Change Doesn't Recognize Borders"; Fire Dragon Dance Lights Up Streets of Hong Kong. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired September 25, 2026 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[11:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ZAIN ASHER, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: All right, coming to you live from New York. I'm Zain Asher. Bianna is off today. You are watching "One World".

U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting a final event with Xi Jinping shortly, as the leaders or the Chinese Leader wraps up his two-day visit to

Washington.

Trump is actually taking Xi to the National Archives a little bit later, which houses some of America's most sacred democratic documents, including

the U.S. Constitution. And it comes as members of the media, up until a short time ago, still weren't sure if they would be able to exercise their

First Amendment rights.

These are some of the first pictures we're seeing of the president and Xi Jinping together through the television pool since the network suspended

pool coverage amid the White House's decision to bar CNN, MS Now, and POLITICO a ban. A federal judge has now temporarily blocked.

Meantime, the entire two-day summit was heavy on ceremony but short on substance. The two geopolitical rivals lavished praise on each other, but

beyond the red-carpet welcome, key contentious issues remain unsolved, including what to do about AI, the Iran war, trade, and of course, Taiwan.

The White House has not issued a statement about Thursday's meeting, but Chinese government has. It reports Xi called for the U.S. to oppose

Taiwan's independence as Trump hailed China as a World War II ally. CNN's Mike Valerio joins us live now from Beijing.

So, as I mentioned, it's really been short on substance. I mean, some analysts have said that this is less about diplomacy and much more about

diplotainment. Talk to us about the fact that there haven't really been any breakthroughs so far, and whether or not we expected that, especially given

the level of mistrust on both sides here, Mike.

MIKE VALERIO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think people certainly here in Beijing expected that they wanted stability first and foremost, and I think the

same could be said from Washington DC. And we heard that from Kristen Holmes reporting from the White House a couple minutes ago.

But certainly, when you think of the Nadir from the Biden Administration and the first Trump Administration of very hawkish positions towards China,

this is a moment where Chinese state media and people in grocery stores from here in Beijing, bus stops in Guizhou Province, wherever, have really

took this moment of respect from their point of view to realize that China is a peer nation with the United States.

After this check on the United States of rare minerals was used to its conclusion with the trade war coming to that stalemate in November of last

year, and that trade truce being struck. But still, to your point, I'm so glad that you brought it up in the introduction to the segment. So many

things left unresolved.

With I think Taiwan, especially from this side of the Pacific Ocean, would be forced -- first and foremost on that list. What is going to happen,

Zain, with this $14 billion arms sale from the United States to Taiwan that has been delayed, with the U.S. President saying on the plane on Air Force

One during the May Beijing summit with Xi Jinping that he sees it as a good bargaining chip that certainly raised eyebrows and you know shivers down

the spine of people who live on the island of Taiwan.

All 25 plus million people who live on the island, only a two-month extension of the trade truce. You know we're almost a year away from the

trade truce being struck in Busan, South Korea. The Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, yeah, it was supposed to expire November 10th. They got

it to extend until January 10th.

Well, you know, in terms of the reporting of what's going on there, there may be more of a need from the American side to have a greater flow of rare

earth minerals to the United States, more guarantees that those rare earth minerals will go to American critical industries, because right now the

flow of those critical minerals is not what it once was before the trade war started last spring.

Chinese help ending the Iran war? No definitive answer on that. And AI dialog specifics. You know we've heard Xi Jinping saying that AI needs to

be programmed for the greater good of humanity, and Trump saying he wants to leave AI just where it is, just fine. You know, one more note before we

go in terms of the vibe check from here in Beijing.

I think that people very much are attuned to Xi Jinping walking into these negotiations in a position of strength, Zain. Not only based on what they

see happening in the White House, but really based on what's been happening in the background. And what we mean by that is just looking at the past or

the three summits that have happened over the past year, we have South Korea, we have Beijing, and we have this summit that's wrapping up as we

speak.

When we're talking about South Korea, Trump visits South Korea and meets Xi Jinping on the tarmac of the Busan International Airport when a historic,

longest government shutdown ever was happening. Juxtaposed with China solidifying its next five-year plan, where AI domination was put front and

center.

[11:05:00]

Also, with the Beijing meeting that was postponed as you and I'm sure everybody watching at home or at work in the gym where ever postponed

because of The Iran war and turmoil with that war that the Administration according to our reporting did not expect now with this meeting at the

White House in Washington DC expected to conclude in the next couple hours.

There certainly is the thought of what's going to happen to President Trump and the Republican Party with the uncertain prospect of the midterms if

Democrats take control of the House and Senate. How is that potentially going to affect these good feelings that are projected from the White House

towards China? This is happening --

ASHER: We do actually have some live pictures to show our audience. This is a tea ceremony taking place at the White House right now. You see President

Xi Jinping of China and his wife along with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. This is the last part of this is 2.5 days state visit. After

this the Chinese President is going to go to the National Archives. Let's listen in.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Thank you very much. And we appreciate the fair coverage; it's been very fair. We

appreciate it.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

XI JINPING, CHINESE PRESIDENT: Well, I want to thank the Honorable President and the First Lady for everything they've done for myself and my

wife during this visit. Everything is done to the highest order of perfection and there is thought in every little detail and it's greatly

appreciated. Thank you.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

JINPING: The President and I are like two people that's chanting the calls for the great shift of China-U.S. relations. When the President visited

China in May we agreed on the vision of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability. This time we've agreed to add new

substance to it. That's the relationship will be a constructive one of strategic stability on the basis of respect fairness and reciprocity. So,

from this one can see that the prospect for this relationship get brighter.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

JINPING: Look ahead to the remainder of this year there will be two more opportunities for us to meet each other. Firstly, the APEC meeting in China

and then the G-20 Summit in the United States. I do welcome you Mr. President and the First Lady to visit China.

TRUMP: Thank you very much. We will and we'll be speaking a lot. I think our farmers are going to be very happy. A lot of very positive things

happened. But America is very happy about this visit. And I'm sure China is very happy also. Great things for both countries and it has been just very,

very productive. And thank you very much.

(FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

[11:10:00]

TRUMP: Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you very much.

ASHER: All right, you've just been listening to a snippet of the tea ceremony taking place between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S.

President Donald Trump. I want to go straight back to Mike Valerio, who was listening into the tea ceremony as well.

Mike, I'm not sure if you can hear me, but one of the things that really struck me about this tea ceremony is that yes, of course, it is symbolic,

but it really is about personal diplomacy, right? It's really about really showcasing the direct relationship between these two leaders.

So, much has been discussed, and you were mentioning to me earlier a moment ago some of the key issues being discussed here, including Taiwan,

including AI, including Iran as well. But seeing such an intimate moment is really about sort of symbolizing to the world that these two leaders,

despite all the differences, can have a personal relationship.

And for someone like President Trump, the personal relationship that he has with a lot of the world leaders is paramount to being able to iron out some

of the disagreements, isn't it?

VALERIO: Absolutely. And I think that especially here in China, and I mean, from you know world capitals, Paris, Berlin, anywhere, Xi Jinping is not

exactly seen as being the warm and fuzzy type. He's being seen you know throughout world capitals as quite rational, playing the long game.

And to just have a moment like this, a very intimate one, where it's resetting the vibe, it's resetting the atmospherics and you know the

expectations of how both countries will comport themselves with one another and each other's company.

You know, as you were saying, as Kristen Holmes has been saying, as all of our colleagues have been reporting, the list of deliverables is quite

short, but it has been a deliberate effort from both of these leaders and both of their delegations to show that this is going to be different from

the first Trump Administration.

This is going to be a different relationship from the Bush, Obama, and Biden Administrations as well, in large part, Zain, because there has been

the effective check on the United States of rare earth minerals being used in the nadir of the trade war when we had that roller coaster of tariffs

going to 145 percent.

I mean, we tend to forget how crazy that was, you know, in the summer of last year? And who could have thought that we would go from these Truth

Social posts with the President of the United States saying, you know, like tariffs are now going to go up 100 more percent against China, to this

incredibly quiet moment where you hear the peaceful music in the background.

The very pleasant language being used by Chinese Leader Xi Jinping before the translators' spring into action. I think that I did hear that President

Trump signaled that he was he is going to Shenzhen, which is the APEC Summit, which is happening in the middle of November.

There's going to be also the opportunity for Chinese Leader Xi Jinping to show up at the G-20 summit in Miami. So unfinished business, as we were

talking about a couple minutes ago, but you know the beat rolls on between you know these two leaders. It will be interesting to see how they comport

themselves and the imagery with these founding documents of American democracy, guaranteeing freedom of the press and a strong right to

criticize the government.

Again, one of the -- two of the foundational elements of American government, with both of these leaders gazing upon these documents. Now

that the press pool is back, it'll be very interesting to see how this visit concludes, Zain.

ASHER: Yeah, the visit to the National Archives is set to start. I believe they are running a little bit behind, but it's set to start in about 15

minutes or so now, as you point out, National Archives is home to some of America's most important foundational documents.

But I really enjoyed your point about the roller coaster ride this U.S.- China relationship has been on over the past year and a half, from Liberation Day and the tariffs, to even more recently when the U.S.

President continued to reiterate that China was involved in sort of swaying the results of the 2020 election. Mike Valerio, we do have to sadly we do

have to leave it there. But thank you so much, appreciate it.

All right, Xi Jinping's state visit comes as the U.S. war with Iran is just days away from the seven-month mark. China, meantime, is Iran's largest

trading partner. And we're now learning just how much assistance groups in China may be offering Iran during the ongoing war.

[11:15:00]

Sources tell CNN that satellite imagery and intelligence support provided by Chinese group is helping Tehran take aim at American targets in the

Middle East. It's unclear, however, if the Chinese government is involved, despite the report. The Trump Administration has not publicly condemned

China, but one U.S. official said it was likely to be a topic of discussion during Xi's state visit.

CNN's Kylie Atwood joins us live now from Washington. So, Kylie, this is something that some Republican lawmakers have brought up. The contrast,

just in terms of how the U.S. President has really rolled out the red carpet, literally and figuratively, for Xi Jinping, including meeting him

at Joint Base Andrews. That is something that is rarely done.

The fact that he didn't wait back at the White House for that. And then you have these reports that Iran essentially used Chinese intelligence, Chinese

satellite imagery, when it came to targeting U.S. troops. Just explain to us whether we know how much, if at all, that has come up during this visit

between the two leaders Kylie?

KYLIE ATWOOD, CNN U.S. SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, we don't know the answer to that yet, right? We just saw President Trump call this a

productive meeting in that spray that we just watched at the White House with the two leaders drinking tea together. But what productive actually

means is yet to be determined based on our reporting.

We do know, according to a source, that there were elements of the Iran war that President Trump was expected to discuss with President Xi, but really

the specifics of that are hard to define at this moment. Our reporting, however, is that the intelligence and also this satellite imagery from

Chinese groups to Iran has really helped them in carrying out precision strikes and also to threaten the Strait of Hormuz, effectively allowing

them to adapt their military capabilities as this war has gone on.

I want to read you a quote from a U.S. official to one of my colleagues, describing, there's a reason that their targeting has improved, and that is

due to some assistance. Getting reps on the battlefield helps, but getting a helping hand helps a lot too.

Now, specifically, there was an Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Jordan in July that killed three service members. And we're told that it was Chinese

satellite imagery that enabled them to carry out that precision strike target. So that is hugely significant. We'll have to watch and see if we

can learn about whether or not this comes up.

But I do think it's important to note that this is effectively allowing Iran to use drones that can't be maneuvered in air. These are heat-seeking

drones, but they can use them to a high level of effectiveness because of the satellite imagery that they're getting from China.

So, it is allowing them to continue carrying out this war more effectively. Some would argue than they did when it first began, and that is obviously a

problem for the Trump Administration as they're trying to draw an end to this conflict. Obviously, returning to the table diplomatically earlier

this week, we'll have to watch and see how those conversations go.

ASHER: All right, Kylie Atwood, live for us there. Thank you so much. All right, for some additional perspective, let's bring in CNN Global Affairs

Commentator Sabrina Singh. Sabrina, I am curious to get your -- there's so much to talk about. So curious to get your perspective on all of it.

I think the first thing, just sort of continue off of Kylie Atwood's point. This idea that the Iranians are using Chinese satellite imagery, perhaps to

target U.S. troops. But on top of that, the fact that China does continue to buy large quantities of Iranian oil that really does provide assistance

to Iran financially.

Are you surprised, given all of that, the sort of lavish welcome that this president has provided the Chinese? And what does it say about who really

does have the upper hand here?

SABRINA SINGH, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, under any other administration, I would be quite shocked. But I think Donald Trump has

repeatedly signaled his profound admiration for autocratic rulers. I mean, you look at his lavish praise of President Xi, President Putin, Kim Jong-Un

in North Korea.

He likes to heap praise on these types of leaders because I think he admires them and likes their style and the way they rule their countries.

And of course, that is in the exact opposite for how an American democracy should work.

And so, to your question am I surprised? I mean it's not entirely surprising that we saw such pomp and circumstances rolled out for this

visit. I think what's -- what I'm curious about is what was really pushed behind the scenes. And to the point that you were making, China is the

largest buyer of Iranian oil despite U.S. sanctions.

We know China also has provided chemicals to Iran that have helped with their ballistic missile production. And now with new reporting out that

China has likely provided satellite imagery to help Iran with its targeting operations.

[11:20:00]

I wonder how much this government, this administration, is pushing the Chinese to say, hey, enough is enough. You need to stop your support for

Iran because we have in place not only strong sanctions against them selling oil, but also U.S. troops have died during this war, likely because

of the satellite imagery that China provided.

So, of course, not entirely surprised by some of the praise that we're seeing this president heap on. But I am more curious to know about the

deliverables because we don't have a good sense of what China has committed to right now.

ASHER: Although we do have a good sense of what China wants and has continued to sort of press the U.S. on, especially as it pertains to trying

to get the U.S. to categorically say that it opposes any sort of Taiwan independence in any way, shape, or form.

We don't necessarily know how Trump has responded to that, but we do know that the Trump Administration has delayed a multi-billion-dollar arms

package to Taiwan. That has angered some people in Washington because that is seen as a core commitment that the U.S. has with Taiwan.

Explain to us whether or not, just from your perspective, the sort of Taiwan issue is now a bargaining chip, perhaps between the United States

and China, especially under this administration? What does that mean for some of the other key deliverables that the U.S. is trying to extract from

China too?

SINGH: Well, that was certainly a huge win for President Xi when he was able to secure that delay of arm sales that was not only approved by

Congress but had bipartisan support for the sales of those arms to go to Taiwan and something that the United States routinely does.

You know, it's very confusing how the president sees this as a bargaining chip when the reality is that he did exactly what President Xi wants. And I

think looking at the global posture of the United States right now and the U.S. military, I think the U.S. and this week in particular really entered

the U.N. General Assembly and these meetings with President Xi on its back foot.

The war in Iran, President Trump, February 28th, told the American people it was going to be a four-to-six-week war. We are entering our -- we are in

our seventh month of this war. The Strait of Hormuz, while our U.S. Navy has done incredible work to clear it of mines, is effectively still closed.

We do not have that same type of oil traffic moving in and out of the Strait as we did pre-war. And on top of that, you have potentially another

front opening in the war with the Houthis in Yemen threatening the Bab Al Mandab, where critical oil also flows out in and out of there from Saudi.

And so, you know, when you look at the global posture of the United States and the president and his meetings with President Xi, he's put on hold

weapon sales to Taiwan. We don't have a carrier strike group in the Indo- Pacific anymore. We don't have a Marine unit that was pulled over to help with the war in Iran.

And I think President Xi sort of looks at this moment as China looks quite strong, and China economically, militarily, and diplomatically, can compete

with the United States on every level, and is frankly offering its partnerships to other countries in the world who do not see the U.S. as a

reliable partner or ally anymore.

ASHER: Yeah, I mean the U.S. or Trump rather has certainly met his match when it comes to Xi Jinping, especially because even with the trade war

last year, Trump very quickly realized that China has so much leverage when it comes to the exports of rare earth minerals. Sabrina Singh, we have to

leave it there. Thank you so much.

All right, still to come here on "One World". Saudi Arabia is calling on two key partners as attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis escalates. The

latest from Riyadh ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:25:00]

ASHER: All right, Iran says it has presented a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart talks towards a final deal with the United

States. Its foreign minister says the proposal was presented to the U.S. through mediators this week and would call for the U.S. to meet certain

conditions within seven days. Iran's President appeared on Fox News Thursday, saying it's up to Washington to end the war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MASOUD PEZESHKIAN, IRANIAN PRESIDENT: We did not choose war. The war was imposed on us. We do not seek war. Rather, whenever they attack us, we are

forced to defend ourselves. We never started a war, but if they wish to keep fighting with us, we will respond strongly, resolutely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: Meantime, Saudi Arabia is turning to two allies as attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensifies. Military Chiefs from

Pakistan and Turkey are planning urgent talks to assist Riyadh under a joint pact.

CNN's Matthew Chance joins us light now from Riyadh with more. Matthew, what sort of assistance might the Saudis be looking for from Pakistan and

Turkey, given the fact that the Houthis have really ramped up their attacks on Saudi Arabia?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: It's a good question. It's more, though, what kind of assistance the two countries,

Turkey and Pakistan, are prepared to offer Saudi Arabia. I mean, look back in August, they signed this Mecca Security Pact, as it as it was called,

which is modeled on the NATO Article Five, which means an attack against one is an attack against all of them.

But you know, the reality is, it's not entirely clear that first of all, Turkey is prepared to live up to that obligation. It says its parliament

hasn't properly ratified that Mecca Security Pact yet, or whether it's possible for Pakistan to supply much in terms of military personnel. But

that's exactly what they're going to be discussing later on today.

We understand it's not clear to us whether those meetings between the security chiefs of those countries has started yet. But certainly, Saudi

Arabia feels itself to be under increasingly frequent attack from the Houthi rebels to the south in Yemen. They want security assistance.

They've been getting it from countries like France that has agreed to offer sort of missile defenses and air defenses around Yanbu, which is an

incredibly important, strategically important port on the Red Sea Coast of Saudi Arabia, where it -- from where it ships out much of its oil exports.

And from Britain as well, which has offered to ramp up its military assistance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. But what Riyadh really wants is

help and military power from the United States. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has called President Trump twice over the course of the past few

weeks.

We understand requesting military strikes against the Houthis by U.S. military forces, and it's been rejected. He's been rejected both times.

President Trump, you know, negotiating with it seems with or trying to resolve the conflict in on the other side of Saudi Arabia with Iran.

Reluctant, perhaps, to open a second front when the U.S. military has still got this ongoing campaign and is overstretched when it comes to Iran, and

has felt the impact of that.

[11:30:00]

He's basically saying it's a red line for us. We're not going to get involved in air strikes against the Houthis right now. They are offering

data, intelligence, targeting data, things like that. But at the moment, at least, the U.S. is stopping short of offering the kind of full-throated

military support that the government here in Saudi Arabia would really like to see from its close U.S. military ally.

ASHER: Matthew Chance live for us there, thank you so much. All right, still to come on "One World" after a whirlwind week for protections on the

free press CNN is closely following the final events for the Trump Xi Summit. Details ahead on a symbolic tour of the National Archives.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ASHER: All right, welcome back to "One World". I'm Zain Asher. Here are some of the headlines we are following for you today. This hour, U.S.

President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to tour the National Archives. Then Xi will be heading back home after his first U.S. state

visit in more than 10 years. AI, the Iran War, and Taiwan were all on the agenda.

Getting back to basics, the major networks that make up the White House TV pool are moving forward with today's presidential coverage. This, after a

tumultuous week for journalists from CNN, MS Now and POLITICO, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order, which blocks President

Trump's ban on those three outlets.

A rare call from Saudi Arabia's top religious leader urging troops to take on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. It comes as the group ramps up attacks,

hitting Saudi energy sites and even targeting Riyadh in the last month.

And millions of Americans are bracing for a rare September nor'easter that is set to bring flooding, winds and heavy rain along the east coast through

the weekend. Effects from the storm are already being felt from North Carolina to New Jersey.

[11:35:00]

Forecasters warn wind gusts reaching nearly 60 miles per hour, or 95 kilometers per hour, could topple trees and knock down power lines.

All right, turning back to our top story this hour. Any moment now, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping will be viewing America's National Archives, along with

U.S. President Donald Trump. This building houses some of America's most sacred democratic documents. We're also waiting for the White House to

issue a statement about Thursday's meeting as well.

Some key issues between the two leaders still remain unresolved, including AI regulation. It's also worth noting Xi Jinping's state visit this week

comes as the U.S. war with Iran is just days away from the seventh month mark. Let's discuss all of this with our Kristen Holmes, joining us live

now from Washington.

So, this is Xi Jinping's first state visit to the U.S. in about a decade or so. From President Trump's perspective, has this visit been a success,

Kristen?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, in terms of deliverables, we're still unclear what is actually going to come out of

this. You just heard President Trump kind of talking about how successful the trip was. He said they were very productive.

At one point, he said that farmers were going to be very happy after these days of meetings, but did not offer any details, so we're still waiting to

see on that front. On the other front, which is just really the visuals of all of it, President Trump did get what he wanted for the most part,

meaning he got to have this big, elaborate state visit on the South Lawn with President Xi.

The one thing he was missing, though, was of course the five major networks' cameras rolling on all the different events, which is perhaps why

he ended up bringing the pool. Which now we have these live photos. Everything has been restored. Bringing the pool into the tea, which was

originally going to be closed press.

But now that the network pool is back, he did end up bringing just them into this tea for these kinds of remarks. I do want to say one interesting

thing that I've noticed just today. Now that we have the cameras there, we have an editorial presence. Is President Trump has been asked twice now

about whether or not he spoke to President Xi about information sharing between China and Iran?

And he has ignored the question both times. They were clearly audible, specifically in the second instance from President Trump hearing it from

the reporter who was just right next to him when he asked? He looked directly at them and then did not answer that question.

So that is a big question here as to whether or not they were going to have that conversation. It's still unclear whether or not President Trump wants

to bring that up with President Xi. Although the war in Iran is obviously a huge topic when it comes to relations with China.

ASHER: All right, Kristen Holmes, live for us there. Thank you so much. All right, let's bring back our guest, CNN Global Affairs Commentator Sabrina

Singh. So, Sabrina, I'm not sure if you heard. Hopefully, you did hear our Kristen Holmes essentially saying that reporters have been asking President

Trump about whether or not he's spoken to Xi Jinping about information sharing with the Iranians and President Trump has ignored the question

twice.

Xi Jinping, during the tea ceremony that we showed live pictures of about 15 minutes ago, did say that the U.S. President and himself do have an

opportunity to meet two more times this year. There are so many unresolved issues.

I mean, if you -- if we didn't have any breakthroughs this time? Can we expect breakthroughs if the two leaders meet on the sidelines of various

summits later on this year? Especially given that China does, as we talked about, likely in many areas have the upper hand here.

SINGH: On the one hand, I do think that the two leaders of both of these countries meeting and continuing to have talks, that is a good thing. I

mean, having communication, having a way to resolve issues of tension at these high-level conversations, I do think that helps.

But in terms of actual deliverables, in terms of is China going to have some type of role in bringing a conclusion to the end of the war in Iran?

Can President Trump pressure President Xi to not buy Iranian-sanctioned oil, to not supply Iran with essential targeting information that we know

has greatly damaged our bases in the region, and even led to the deaths of some of our service members.

That really remains to be seen, and that is the critical part of how much pressure can the United States put on China. We are seeing with this trade

war that the president is trying to use some economic leverage with China, and the trade truce has now extended into January.

But we know the United States relies on those critical rare earth minerals that China really has capitalized the market on. So, I'm not sure how many

deliverables we're going to come and see out of their next two meetings that they have scheduled. But I do think it's a good thing that both sides

are continuing to talk at very high levels.

ASHER: Donald Trump values personal relationships, and he is somebody that, as we know, does has seems to have no problem speaking his mind.

[11:40:00]

We don't necessarily know for sure whether or not President Trump did speak about Iran to Xi Jinping? But why might, why might the U.S. President be

hesitant to bring this up this time?

SINGH: Well, you know, you always keep some things behind closed doors. Behind closed doors, you don't necessarily want them reported out if there

are ongoing negotiations around sensitive topics, particularly when it comes to Iran.

And China is sort of occupies this interesting space of still being closely aligned with Iran, but also trying to have some type of economic trade and

you know cooperation with the United States. So, I can see -- I can understand for on the one hand trying to keep some things behind closed

doors, private.

But on the other hand, it's the messaging to the world. It's the messaging on the world stage that you are going to hold the person, the country

accountable that is not only buying sanctioned Iranian oil, but that is potentially providing information that is furthering this war. You want to

see some of that rhetoric out there.

And the fact that we're not seeing that, the fact that you know this president continues to attack our neighbor in Canada, going after our NATO

allies while propping up you know some of these strong men, and whether it's Xi, Putin, or Kim Jong-Un, that's why our allies and partners are very

skeptical and pulling away from the United States, and frankly, going to turn to other countries for support, which could include China as well.

ASHER: All right, Sabrina Singh, live for us there. Thank you for that. The President of the European Commission is speaking out about unregulated

trade between China and the EU. CNN's Christiane Amanpour asked about the impact and some possible solutions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT: The mood is changing in the European Union because of the imbalance that we have in our trade

relationship. We have a trade deficit of 1 billion euros per day.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN ANCHOR: Per day?

LEYEN: Per day, and this cannot go on. We cannot have the de- industrialization of our industrial heartland because China is dumping its overcapacity on the European market. So, we have now established with China

a high-level dialog on that topic, but the dialog has to deliver.

In parallel, we have instruments that ensure the economic security of the European Union. We want the dialog to be successful, but, if necessary, we

have the instruments on the table, or we can develop new ones.

AMANPOUR: What is an instrument in this case? What is the instrument?

LEYEN: For example, limit the access of Chinese products that are heavily subsidized to our market. We like competition, but we want a level playing

field.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: And you can actually see the exclusive interview with European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen coming up on Amanpour at 01:00

p.m. Eastern Time. That's 06:00 p.m. if you're watching from London, it's going to air again on Saturday's edition of the Amanpour Hour. All right

still ahead on "One World". The Prime Minister of Nepal says that the deadly floods in his country were a warning for the planet about climate

change. What he demanded from world leaders next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:45:00]

ASHER: All right, Nepal's Prime Minister demanded climate justice during his U.N. address on Thursday, arguing nations least responsible for

emissions are paying the highest price as the world fails to act. It comes after catastrophic floods that killed at least 1,400 people, with thousands

were still missing.

Last month a massive piece of a Himalayan glacier plunged into the river below, unleashing flooding that devastated entire communities along the

Nepal-China border. CNN's Hanako Montgomery has more.

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just weeks after deadly floods killed at least 1,400 people and left thousands more missing in Nepal, Prime

Minister Balendra Shah used his U.N. address to discuss climate justice. The term essentially means countries that contribute the least to climate

change shouldn't have to bear the costs of it alone.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BALENDRA SHAH, NEPAL PRIME MINISTER: Climate change does not recognize borders, glaciers, and floods. Do not travel with stamps and passports.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MONTGOMERY: And the devastation from the floods is enormous. While we were on the ground in Nepal, we saw how some communities had been completely

wiped out, while families were still desperately looking for their missing loved ones.

Nepal has estimated that recovery will cost at least $5 billion, which is more than 11 percent of its GDP. It has requested about $20 million from a

U.N. fund that would help cover some climate-related losses. Meanwhile, six of the world's largest fossil fuel companies are estimated to make about

$94 billion this year alone, according to one study.

Now, Shah also used his speech to discuss a proposal for the future going forward. It's essentially a framework led by India, China, and Nepal, and

he's called it the Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism. The idea is to share satellite imagery, share information about dangerous glacial lakes

and to strengthen early warning systems so that there is better cooperation if and when another disaster strikes.

Now, during his speech, Shah also pointed out what he sees as a stark contradiction, how a world that is able to wage multiple wars is still

struggling to find ways to help the most vulnerable affected by climate change.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHAH: One that can deliver a weapon anywhere in 72 hours has no excuse for leaving a farmer without means of decent livelihood.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MONTGOMERY: It could take years for Nepal to recover, and Shah's warning is that another disaster could strike before it does, while countries

contributing the most to the climate crisis continue to stand by and watch. Hanako Montgomery, CNN.

ASHER: All right, still to come here on "One World", a look at one of the most colorful autumn festivals anywhere in the world. We'll take you to

Hong Kong next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:50:00]

ASHER: All right, let's take a look. We are looking at live pictures. We've got President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump arriving at the

National Archives for a tour with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife. This is the final part of this two-and-a-half-day state visit by Xi

Jinping.

This is his first visit, state visit to the U.S. in over a decade. The last time was in 2015. And the National Archives certainly significant because

this is where the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights are all housed among another -- among a number rather of

significant records.

President Donald Trump is also expected to show the Chinese Leader historical documents significant to the relationship between the U.S. and

China as well. A lot of people and analysts who have been watching this visit very closely have said that this visit is certainly has been high or

strong rather on a lot of symbolism, a lot of personal relations between the two leaders, but not much in terms of substance.

No major breakthroughs announced yet, just in terms of some of the thorny issues that the two sides have been dealing with. We know that Xi Jinping

has pressed Donald Trump a number of times we believe on the issue of Taiwan, of trying to get the U.S. to say formally that it does not, in any

way, shape, or form, support Taiwan's independence.

We don't necessarily know how the U.S. President responded to that, but once again, this is the final stop of the Chinese Leader Xi Jinping's tour

or meeting, rather, state visit in the United States. And after this, he's going to be heading back home to Beijing.

Just in terms of some other key topics that has been discussed here, we know that AI is a major issue. Both countries, both the United States and

China, are in a sort of race for AI supremacy. We know that there have been announcements such as some kind of a hotline, some kind of a mechanism

between both sides when it comes to sort of clamping down on this sort of unbridled race for AI supremacy.

We don't necessarily have much in the way of substance in terms of what that hotline would be and what this sort of mechanism between both sides or

what that would involve? But there was a massive dinner between tech leaders, AI leaders, and the U.S. President and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

After this as I mentioned, Xi Jinping will be heading back to Beijing.

All right, the calendar in the Northern Hemisphere has finally turned to autumn, and that means millions of people are celebrating harvest season.

One of the most colorful events is taking place in Hong Kong, CNN's Kriste Lu Stout is there.

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The streets here are erupting with party energy and fire. I am in the Tai Hang District of Hong Kong. This is

the home of the Annual Fire Dance Festival for the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is when every year across three nights, hundreds of dancers carry this

very impressive fire dragon through the streets of Hong Kong.

It's coming our way right now. The fire dragon is some 67 meters long. That's 220 feet long. It's also covered with 12,000 burning incessant

sticks. So, we got to be careful when it's swings by. This is a tradition that's been happening here in Tai Hang District since 1880.

[11:55:00]

And take a close look at the dragon. It's made out of rattan. It's made of straw and rope. The face, in particular, very impressive, with glowing

electric eyes and teeth made out of iron. And a dragon here that's made out of the roots of a banyan tree. This is all part of the Mid-Autumn Festival

celebrations that are underway in many parts of East Asia and Southeast Asia.

You know, like this is a time for families to get together, to feast, to celebrate the harvest, to admire the full moon, to also bring out lit

lanterns, and of course to eat those moon-shaped treats like pomelo, or of course the moon cake. But here in Tai Hang, it takes a very different

dimension.

Here in Tai Hang, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated this way by unleashing the beast and by dancing with the fire dragon. And there we have

it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: What a good job?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

STOUT: That was fantastic.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

STOUT: Great. How are you feeling?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ah, exhausted.

STOUT: How are you feeling right now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ah, pretty good. It's my second in time here, so.

STOUT: Second time here? Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you.

STOUT: Do you get burned?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A little bit in my shirt.

STOUT: You have. That was fantastic, guys. Good job.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ASHER: All right, stay with CNN. I'll have much more "One World" after this short break. Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

END