U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected reports that he is seeking a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying, “I am not seeking anything.”
The comment follows a Reuters report about discussions of a potential meeting when the U.S. president travels to Asia later this year.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump added that he might visit China but only at Xi’s invitation, “otherwise, no interest!”
Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Why It Matters
Any meeting between the U.S. and Chinese leaders would be the first face-to-face encounter between them since Trump’s return to the White House and would come at a time of trade and security tensions heightened by U.S. tariffs.
What To Know
On July 22, Reuters reported that aides from both China and the U.S. had discussed a possible meeting between the leaders when Trump visits Asia this year.
The discussions included a scenario in which Trump would stop over during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea between October 30 and November 1 or hold talks on the sidelines of that event, according to the agency.
Reuters said another option would be Trump attending a September 3 ceremony in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to attend.
However, Trump’s social media post seemed to quash that report, which he called “fake news.” However, he did not rule out meeting with Xi.
Trump said that contrary to reports, he was not seeking a meeting and would only visit China at Xi’s request.
On Monday, U.S. and Chinese economic officials resumed trade talks in Sweden as Trump’s tariff deadline of August 12 approaches. The previous day, Trump said his administration was nearing a trade agreement with Beijing.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday: “The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a ‘Summit’ with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything! I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!”
Trump said on Sunday during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: “We’re very close to a deal with China.”
What Happens Next
This week’s talks in Stockholm involve U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and are seen as a possible precursor to a meeting between the countries’ leaders. The officials discussed U.S. access to the Chinese market and Chinese investment in the U.S., according to the Associated Press.
Update 7/29/25, 3:58 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.
