Washington, Nov. 22 -- US President Donald Trump extended a notably cordial welcome to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during their first face-to-face meeting at the White House, signalling a marked change in a relationship previously defined by public disagreements.

The Friday meeting, which Mamdani had requested, suggested that both sides were prepared to explore common ground.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who gained national attention after his unexpected victory earlier this month, sought the meeting to raise concerns about affordability and public safety in New York City.

Their private discussion appeared to prompt a more favourable response from Trump than many had anticipated.

After the meeting, Trump told reporters...