Donald Trump Says He Plans to Travel to China in Spring After Phone Conversation with Xi Jinping

Placeholder Leaders in Discussion

Leader Donald Trump has confirmed that he agreed to visit China's capital in spring and extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit later next year, after a phone call between the two officials.

Trump and Xi—who met recently in South Korea—talked about a variety of topics including commerce, the situation in Ukraine, fentanyl, and Taiwan, per the president and China's foreign ministry.

"Our relationship with China is very robust!" Trump posted in a online message.

China's state news agency released a comment that indicated both countries should "keep up the momentum, proceed in the correct path on the foundation of parity, mutual respect and common gain".

Previous Meeting and Trade Developments

The leaders held discussions in Busan, South Korea in last October, following which they agreed to a truce on import duties. The United States decided to cut a 20 percent duty in half aimed at the flow of opioids.

Trade taxes stay on imports and stand at just below 50%.

"Since then, the Sino-American ties has largely sustained a steady and positive trajectory, and this is welcomed by the both nations and the broader international community," the official comment said.

  • The United States then pulled back a threat of full extra duties on Chinese goods, while China put off its scheme to introduce its new set of limits on mineral exports.

Focus on Trade

The administration's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt commented that the phone discussion with Xi—which went on for an hour—was centered on trade.

"The U.S. is happy with what we've seen from the Chinese, and they share that sentiment," she noted.

Broader Topics

Along with addressing commerce, Xi and Trump raised the issues of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the island.

Xi informed Trump that Taiwan's "reunification with China" is critical for China's vision for the "global system after conflicts".

The Chinese government has been engaged in a political dispute with Japan, a US ally, over the longstanding "uncertain policy" on the authority of Taiwan.

Earlier this month, Tokyo's head Sanae Takaichi stated that a potential Chinese attack on the island could force a response from Japan's forces.

Trump, but, did not refer to Taiwan in his Truth Social post about the conversation.

America's envoy to Tokyo, George Glass, had earlier stated that the U.S. government backs Japan in the aftermath of China's "intimidation".

Ronald Stephens
Ronald Stephens

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