Donald Trump Says He Will Visit China in the Month of April After Call with Xi
Former President Donald Trump has confirmed that he agreed to go to Beijing in spring and invited Chinese President Xi Jinping for a diplomatic trip in the coming year, following a phone call between the two officials.
Trump and Xi—who met about a month back in the Republic of Korea—discussed a series of matters including trade, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the opioid crisis, and Taiwan, according to the U.S. leader and Chinese officials.
"The U.S.-China ties is highly solid!" Trump posted in a Truth Social post.
Official Chinese media published a announcement that indicated both countries should "maintain progress, proceed in the correct path on the principle of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit".
Prior Engagement and Trade Developments
The officials held discussions in Busan, South Korea in last October, following which they settled on a pause on tariffs. The United States chose to cut a import tax by half intended to decrease the movement of fentanyl.
Trade taxes continue on imports and stand at close to half.
"Afterwards, the China-US relationship has generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory, and this is welcomed by the both nations and the international community at large," the official comment said.
- The United States then retracted a threat of double tariffs on China's exports, while Beijing delayed its intention to introduce its latest round of limits on mineral exports.
Focus on Trade
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented that the recent conversation with Xi—which took around 60 minutes—was mainly about commerce.
"We are pleased with what we've observed from the China, and they feel the same way," she remarked.
Additional Issues
In addition to discussing trade, Xi and Trump broached the topics of the conflict in Ukraine and the island.
Xi told Trump that the island's "return to China" is critical for China's vision for the "global system after conflicts".
Beijing has been part of a political dispute with Japan, a U.S. friend, over the long-term "vague stance" on the sovereignty of the independently administered island.
Earlier this month, Tokyo's head Sanae Takaichi stated that a potential assault from Beijing on Taiwan could lead to a response from Japan's forces.
Trump, however, did not refer to Taiwan in his online message about the call.
US Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, previously said that the United States supports Tokyo in the context of China's "pressure".
