Trump Announces He Is Set to Go to China in Spring After Call with President Xi

Placeholder Leaders in Discussion

Leader Donald Trump has confirmed that he agreed to travel to Beijing in the month of April and extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for a official visit in the coming year, following a discussion between the two heads of state.

Trump and Xi—who convened recently in Korea—discussed a variety of topics including commerce, the situation in Ukraine, the opioid crisis, and the Taiwan issue, according to the former president and China's foreign ministry.

"Bilateral relations is very robust!" Trump posted in a Truth Social post.

Official Chinese media issued a comment that indicated both nations should "keep up the momentum, progress in the correct path on the basis of equality, esteem and mutual benefit".

Previous Meeting and Trade Developments

The leaders convened in the South Korean city of Busan in last October, following which they reached a ceasefire on tariffs. The U.S. government opted to reduce a 20% tariff in half intended to decrease the supply of fentanyl.

Tariffs remain on Chinese goods and average just below 50%.

"From that point, the bilateral relations has generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory, and this is welcomed by the two countries and the broader international community," the Chinese statement said.

  • The US then retracted a threat of double tariffs on China's exports, while China postponed its scheme to enforce its new set of restrictions on rare earths.

Focus on Trade

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented that the recent conversation with Xi—which lasted about an hour—was mainly about trade.

"The U.S. is happy with what we've observed from the Chinese, and they feel the same way," she noted.

Additional Issues

Along with addressing trade, Xi and Trump broached the topics of the Ukraine war and the Taiwan situation.

Xi told Trump that Taiwan's "integration into China" is critical for the Chinese outlook for the "global system after conflicts".

China has been part of a foreign policy clash with Tokyo, a U.S. friend, over the long-term "vague stance" on the control of the independently administered island.

In the past few weeks, Japan's leader Sanae Takaichi stated that an eventual military action by China on Taiwan could compel a reaction by Tokyo's army.

Trump, but, did not mention Taiwan in his online message about the conversation.

US Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, had earlier stated that the United States stands with Japan in the context of China's "coercion".

Paul Turner
Paul Turner

Barista esperto e formatore con oltre 10 anni nel settore, appassionato di caffè di specialità e innovazione nel mondo della ristorazione.