President Donald Trump is holding a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, and multiple outlets note a shift in Trump’s public tone toward China compared with his earlier campaign messaging.

During his initial run for office, Trump frequently described China as a serious threat to the United States, accusing it of undermining American jobs and manufacturing and harming the middle class. Sources say that language helped shape his early political appeal and positions toward Beijing.

Since taking office, outlets report Trump increasingly speaks more positively about Xi and the U.S.-China relationship. One example cited is Trump’s characterization of Xi as “a great gentleman” and comments that the two sides have “a very good trading relationship,” while still acknowledging China as a geopolitical competitor. The coverage frames the change as a rhetorical evolution ahead of the formal visit and state dinner, rather than a statement on whether core policy disagreements are resolved.