Trump Announces He Will Visit China in the Month of April Subsequent to Discussion with Xi
President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will go to Beijing in spring and invited Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit in the coming year, subsequent to a discussion between the two leaders.
Trump and Xi—who convened about a month back in South Korea—discussed a range of issues including economic relations, the Ukraine conflict, synthetic drugs, and the island of Taiwan, per the president and Beijing's diplomatic corps.
"The U.S.-China ties is highly solid!" Trump stated in a online message.
China's state news agency released a statement that noted both states should "continue advancing, proceed in the correct path on the foundation of fairness, respect and mutual benefit".
Prior Engagement and Trade Developments
The officials met in Busan, South Korea in the fall, following which they reached a ceasefire on tariffs. The US decided to cut a 20 percent duty in half intended to decrease the supply of fentanyl.
Trade taxes stay on products from China and stand at close to half.
"From that point, the Sino-American ties has mostly kept a stable and upward path, and this is appreciated by the both nations and the wider global audience," the official comment added.
- The US then pulled back a potential imposition of double tariffs on products, while the Chinese government put off its plan to enforce its new set of rare earth export controls.
Focus on Trade
The administration's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the phone discussion with Xi—which went on for an hour—was mainly about economic issues.
"We are pleased with what we've seen from the Chinese, and they agree," she said.
Wider Discussions
In addition to addressing economic matters, Xi and Trump discussed the issues of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Taiwan.
Xi stated to Trump that Taiwan's "return to China" is critical for China's vision for the "world order following wars".
China has been engaged in a political dispute with Japan, a U.S. friend, over the enduring "uncertain policy" on the control of self-governed Taiwan.
Earlier this month, Tokyo's head Sanae Takaichi stated that any assault from Beijing on Taiwan could compel a response from Japan's forces.
Trump, however, did not mention the Taiwan issue in his Truth Social post about the conversation.
America's envoy to Tokyo, George Glass, noted before that the US supports Tokyo in the aftermath of Beijing's "coercion".