Donald Trump Announces He Will Visit China in April Subsequent to Call with Xi Jinping
Leader Donald Trump has confirmed that he will travel to Beijing in the month of April and extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit next year, subsequent to a discussion between the two leaders.
Trump and Xi—who held talks recently in the Republic of Korea—discussed a range of issues including economic relations, the Ukraine conflict, synthetic drugs, and the island of Taiwan, per the former president and Beijing's diplomatic corps.
"The U.S.-China ties is highly solid!" Trump stated in a Truth Social post.
China's state news agency published a comment that indicated both countries should "maintain progress, proceed in the right direction on the principle of fairness, respect and mutual benefit".
Prior Engagement and Economic Agreements
The officials held discussions in the South Korean city of Busan in October, following which they agreed to a truce on import duties. The US decided to reduce a 20% tariff by 50% aimed at the supply of the drug fentanyl.
Trade taxes continue on imports and stand at close to half.
"From that point, the China-US relationship has generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory, and this is greeted positively by the each side and the international community at large," the Beijing's announcement added.
- The United States then retracted a warning of full extra duties on Chinese goods, while China postponed its intention to enforce its new set of limits on mineral exports.
Commerce Discussions
The administration's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the recent conversation with Xi—which lasted about an hour—was centered on commerce.
"We are pleased with what we've observed from the Beijing, and they feel the same way," she said.
Wider Discussions
Along with discussing trade, Xi and Trump broached the issues of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the island.
Xi stated to Trump that Taiwan's "return to China" is critical for China's vision for the "global system after conflicts".
The Chinese government has been part of a foreign policy clash with Japan, a U.S. friend, over the enduring "uncertain policy" on the authority of Taiwan.
In the past few weeks, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi commented that any assault from Beijing on Taiwan could force a Japanese military response.
Trump, but, did not refer to Taiwan in his social media update about the conversation.
US Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, previously said that the U.S. government stands with Japan in the context of China's "intimidation".
