Trump Says He Plans to Travel to China in the Month of April After Phone Conversation with President Xi
Former President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will travel to Beijing in spring and extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for a official visit later next year, subsequent to a telephone conversation between the two officials.
Trump and Xi—who convened about a month back in the Republic of Korea—discussed a variety of topics including trade, the Ukraine conflict, fentanyl, and the Taiwan issue, per the former president and Chinese officials.
"Bilateral relations is extremely strong!" Trump stated in a Truth Social post.
Beijing's press outlet published a announcement that said both nations should "continue advancing, progress in the correct path on the foundation of parity, respect and mutual benefit".
Earlier Talks and Commerce Progress
The heads of state met in the South Korean city of Busan in October, following which they reached a ceasefire on trade taxes. The United States decided to slash a 20 percent duty in half aimed at the supply of opioids.
Tariffs remain on Chinese goods and average just below 50%.
"Since then, the Sino-American ties has mostly kept a stable and upward path, and this is greeted positively by the both nations and the wider global audience," the Beijing's announcement noted.
- America then pulled back a potential imposition of double tariffs on China's exports, while the Chinese government postponed its scheme to introduce its new set of limits on mineral exports.
Commerce Discussions
The administration's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt commented that the Monday call with Xi—which lasted about an hour—was mainly about commerce.
"We are pleased with what we've seen from the Beijing, and they share that sentiment," she noted.
Wider Discussions
Besides addressing trade, Xi and Trump discussed the issues of the conflict in Ukraine and Taiwan.
Xi told Trump that the island's "reunification with China" is vital for China's vision for the "world order following wars".
The Chinese government has been engaged in a foreign policy clash with Tokyo, a American partner, over the enduring "vague stance" on the control of the independently administered island.
Recently, Tokyo's head Sanae Takaichi commented that a potential military action by China on the island could compel a reaction by Tokyo's army.
Trump, however, did not discuss the island in his online message about the conversation.
The U.S. representative in Japan, George Glass, had earlier stated that the U.S. government stands with Japan in the context of Beijing's "pressure".
