Trump Reveals He Plans to Travel to China in the Month of April Subsequent to Call with President Xi
President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will visit China's capital in April and invited Chinese President Xi Jinping for a official visit in the coming year, following a phone call between the two officials.
Trump and Xi—who held talks nearly a month ago in Korea—talked about a range of issues including economic relations, the situation in Ukraine, fentanyl, and the Taiwan issue, per the former president and Chinese officials.
"Bilateral relations is highly solid!" Trump wrote in a online message.
Official Chinese media published a announcement that noted both countries should "maintain progress, progress in the positive way on the basis of parity, mutual respect and shared interests".
Earlier Talks and Economic Agreements
The leaders convened in the South Korean city of Busan in October, subsequently they reached a ceasefire on import duties. The U.S. government chose to reduce a 20 percent duty by half aimed at the flow of opioids.
Tariffs continue on products from China and stand at just below 50%.
"Since then, the China-US relationship has generally maintained a consistent and favorable course, and this is appreciated by the two countries and the international community at large," the Chinese statement noted.
- The United States then withdrew a threat of 100% additional tariffs on Chinese goods, while Beijing postponed its plan to enforce its recent phase of rare earth export controls.
Focus on Trade
The administration's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the recent conversation with Xi—which took around 60 minutes—was centered on trade.
"We are pleased with what we've seen from the Chinese, and they feel the same way," she noted.
Broader Topics
Along with addressing economic matters, Xi and Trump broached the issues of the conflict in Ukraine and the island.
Xi stated to Trump that the island's "return to China" is essential for Beijing's perspective for the "global system after conflicts".
Beijing has been involved in a diplomatic battle with the Japanese government, a American partner, over the longstanding "uncertain policy" on the control of the independently administered island.
In the past few weeks, Tokyo's head Sanae Takaichi stated that any assault from Beijing on Taiwan could force a response from Japan's forces.
Trump, though, did not mention the island in his social media update about the discussion.
The U.S. representative in Japan, George Glass, had earlier stated that the United States backs Japan in the aftermath of Beijing's "intimidation".