President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will visit China in April for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. He also indicated that President Xi is expected to visit the United States before the end of the year.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump stated he was looking forward to the meeting. “I look forward to seeing President Xi. I’ve always had a great relationship with the President of China,” he said.
The President acknowledged that bilateral relations had been strained during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since improved significantly. He highlighted China’s increased purchases of American soybeans as a positive development benefiting American farmers.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent recently commented on the evolving relationship between Washington and Beijing. He noted that relations have reached a “very good equilibrium” and suggested that the existing disagreements are unlikely to escalate into a full-blown economic conflict, as had occurred the previous year.
Speaking from Davos during the World Economic Forum, Bisent suggested that Presidents Trump and Xi could meet as many as four times this year. He emphasized their ability to foster a productive relationship based on direct communication and de-escalation of tensions.
The Treasury Secretary also revealed that he met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who affirmed Beijing’s commitment to implementing agreements previously reached between Trump and Xi.
“We’re going to push them hard, but they have lived up to what they said they would do,” Bisent stated, adding that China had purchased its full allotment of American soybeans last week. He further indicated that Washington has urged Beijing to purchase more American products, clarifying that while “not necessary, it would be a gesture of good faith.”
This shift in tone represents a notable departure from President Trump’s stance at the beginning of his term, when he imposed high tariffs on China, prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing.
