US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would likely be visiting the United States in the near future, amidst escalating trade disputes between the two largest global economies over Trump’s tariff policies.
“He’ll be coming in the not too distant future,” Trump stated whilst at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, referring to the Chinese leader, according to AFP.
According to The Wall Street Journal’s report last week, officials from both nations had initiated discussions about a potential summit in the United States in June, the birth month of both leaders.
This comes amid escalating tension between the two nations due to Trump’s tariffs policies. After returning to the White House for the second time in January, Trump implemented tariffs on major trading partners, including China, Canada and Mexico, citing trade inequalities and their inadequate control of lethal fentanyl distribution. Last week, China expressed interest in engaging in “dialogue” with Washington.
Earlier this month, Trump increased his previous 10-per cent general tariff on Chinese goods to 20 percent. In response, Beijing imposed duties of up to 15 percent on various American agricultural products, including soybeans, pork and chicken.
China, leading global steel manufacturer, also pledged to implement “all necessary measures” in reaction to separate new American tariffs on steel and aluminium.
Xi’s most recent visit to the United States occurred in November 2023, meeting with Trump’s Democratic successor Joe Biden in California, attempting to reduce growing friction between the two global powers.
