Donald Trump Reveals He Will Visit China in April After Discussion with President Xi
President Donald Trump has declared that he plans to go to China's capital in spring and invited Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit later next year, after a discussion between the two heads of state.
Trump and Xi—who convened nearly a month ago in the Republic of Korea—talked about a range of issues including commerce, the situation in Ukraine, the opioid crisis, and the Taiwan issue, per the former president and Chinese officials.
"Bilateral relations is extremely strong!" Trump posted in a online message.
Official Chinese media issued a announcement that indicated both countries should "maintain progress, progress in the right direction on the basis of parity, respect and common gain".
Earlier Talks and Commerce Progress
The leaders met in Busan, South Korea in October, following which they agreed to a truce on trade taxes. The US decided to cut a import tax by half intended to decrease the supply of the drug fentanyl.
Trade taxes stay on products from China and average just below 50%.
"Since then, the bilateral relations has largely sustained a stable and upward path, and this is appreciated by the each side and the broader international community," the official comment noted.
- America then pulled back a warning of full extra duties on products, while China delayed its intention to introduce its latest round of rare earth export controls.
Economic Emphasis
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Monday call with Xi—which took around 60 minutes—was focused on trade.
"The U.S. is happy with what we've observed from the China, and they share that sentiment," she noted.
Additional Issues
Along with addressing commerce, Xi and Trump broached the issues of the conflict in Ukraine and the island.
Xi stated to Trump that the island's "integration into China" is vital for the Chinese outlook for the "post-war international order".
China has been engaged in a political dispute with the Japanese government, a U.S. friend, over the enduring "uncertain policy" on the sovereignty of self-governed Taiwan.
Earlier this month, Japan's leader Sanae Takaichi stated that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could compel a reaction by Tokyo's army.
Trump, however, did not mention the Taiwan issue in his social media update about the conversation.
The U.S. representative in Japan, George Glass, had earlier stated that the United States supports Tokyo in the wake of China's "pressure".