President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that Chinese leader Xi Jinping would visit Washington soon amid brewing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Newsweek reached out to the State Department’s press office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Relations between the United States and China have long been strained, as the two countries have been at odds over a number of trade policies and international disputes. Trump’s recent wave of tariffs on Chinese imports, including an additional 10 percent tariff, has added tension to the relationship.
Trump ramped up tariffs against Chinese imports over his concerns that China has not done enough to curb the production of fentanyl. China has implemented retaliatory tariffs, leaving the two countries in a trade war.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has shifted foreign policy in key areas, including tariffs and the Russia-Ukraine war, which had been a sticking point for the U.S. and China in recent years.
What To Know
Trump made the remarks during a Monday board meeting at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Xi “and top people underneath him” will come to the U.S. in the “not too distant future,” Trump said. He did not provide more details about the potential meeting, including when it may be held and his hopes for a meeting with Xi.
Xi last visited the U.S. in 2023, when the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held a summit in San Francisco.
Trump and Xi spoke on the phone days before Trump’s inauguration in January, discussing issues like the ban on TikTok that Trump ultimately halted, trade policy and fentanyl, which has been a point of contention between Trump and Xi.
While Trump has said he needs to impose tariffs to pressure China to address fentanyl production, Chinese officials say they have already taken steps to crack down on the drug.
The president has touted his relationship with Xi in the past, saying that he got along well with him during his first time in office despite disagreements.
Associated Press
What People Are Saying
State broadcaster China Central Television, in a January statement: “We are ready to strengthen dialogue and communication with the new U.S. government, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.”
President Donald Trump ahead of a February 26 Cabinet meeting: “We’re going to have a good relationship with China, but they won’t be able to take advantage of us. What they did to Biden was—he didn’t know what was happening. He didn’t know what he was doing. The administration didn’t know what they were doing. It was very sad to watch.”
What Happens Next
Officials have not provided more details about when the meeting may take place.
Update 3/17/25, 5:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
