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President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden met on Wednesday for the first time since Mr Trump won the election last week and promised an orderly transfer of power in January.
The two leaders sat next to each other in the Oval Office, an image that contrasted with the tensions they have had in their relationship.
Mr. Biden beat Mr. Trump in the 2020 election, but withdrew from the 2024 race in July after a poor showing in a debate against his Republican rival.
He supported Vice President Kamala Harris as a candidate, who lost the election.
"Our goal is to have a smooth transition, we're going to do everything we can to get you whatever you need," President Biden said in welcoming Mr. President-elect Trump.
"Politics is difficult and often the world is not very beautiful, but today it is a beautiful world and I really appreciate a smooth transition. It's going to be very neat and I really appreciate that, Joe," said Mr. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20.
Reporters tried to ask questions but were quickly ushered out of the room, before Mr Biden and Mr Trump continued the meeting without them.
The meeting was in stark contrast to the strained relationship the two leaders have had over the years.
Their teams have very different positions on policies, from issues related to climate change to Russia to trade.
Mr. Biden, 81, has portrayed Mr. Trump as a threat to democracy, while Mr. Trump, 78, has portrayed Mr. Biden as incompetent.
President-elect Trump has made unsubstantiated claims of rigging the 2020 presidential election.
It is in the political tradition of the United States for the next president of the country to be received in the Oval Office by the current president, but Mr. Trump ignored this tradition in 2020, when he lost the race for re-election.
" He believes in our norms and institutions, he believes in the peaceful transfer of power ," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday, regarding President Biden's decision to invite Mr. Trump for a meeting.
" That's how it should happen ," she added.
Mr. Biden intended to use the meeting to show continuity, but the transition from one administration to another is partially blocked.
According to the White House, Mr. Trump's team has not yet signed the agreement that would allow people in his incoming administration access to government facilities and information.
" Trump-Vance transition team attorneys are continuing to engage constructively with Biden-Harris administration attorneys regarding all arrangements contemplated by the Presidential Transition Act ," said Brian Vance, a spokesman for Mr. Trump's transition. referring to the law governing the transfer of power.
Valerie Smith Boyd, director of the Presidential Transition Partnership Center, a nonprofit that advises incoming administrations, said the deal underscores that the United States has only one president until Jan. 20, and includes signing ethics rules not to profit from the information made available during the transition period.
" This agreement must be signed to begin interaction with federal agencies ," she said. "It all depends on this thing."
Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump are likely to discuss a host of topics, including foreign policy.
The outgoing president may ask Mr Trump to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. US support for Kiev has been called into question after Mr Trump's victory.
Meanwhile, the president-elect has vowed to end the war soon, but without explaining how he will do so.
Ms. Jean-Pierre declined to give details about the issues to be discussed at the meeting between the two leaders.
This will be the first meeting between Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump since the debate between them in June, when the Democratic president had not yet withdrawn from the race.
Mr. Biden's poor showing raised concerns among Democrats over his advanced age and led to his withdrawal from the presidential race.
After this development, Mrs. Harris was chosen as the Democratic candidate for president. She led a short campaign that ended in her defeat on November 5. / VOA
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