Trump may travel to China to meet Xi in 'not-too-distant future'
WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he may visit China soon for a landmark trip to address simmering trade and security tensions between the superpower rivals.
"President Xi has invited me to China, and we'll probably be doing that in the not-too-distant future," Trump told reporters in the White House's Oval Office. "A little bit out, but not too distant. And I've been invited by a lot of people, and we'll make those decisions pretty soon."
Trump and Xi's aides have discussed a potential meeting between the leaders during a trip by the U.S. president to Asia later this year, Reuters has reported, citing two people familiar with the plans.
While plans for a meeting have not been finalized, discussions on both sides of the Pacific have included a possible Trump stopover around the time of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea or talks on the sidelines of the October 30-November 1 event, the people said.
Another possible trip would be for a September 3 Beijing ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, which Russian President Vladimir Putin also plans to attend.
Meetings between Trump and Xi or Putin would be the first face-to-face encounters between the men since Trump's inauguration on January 20 for his second term in office. The White House and the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry have declined to comment on the Reuters report.
GLOBAL RIVALS
Trump made the comment about meeting Xi during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a key Pacific ally who Trump said he had nudged away from China.
"The country was maybe tilting toward China for a period of time, but we un-tilted it very, very quickly," Trump said. Trump added: "I don't mind if he gets along with China because we're getting along with China very well."
Marcos, who took office in 2022, has for years sought U.S. support as his country's maritime disputes worsen with China. Manila has sought to avoid direct confrontation with its larger neighbor, which claims most of the South China Sea as its own territory.
The U.S. and the Philippines have a seven-decade-old collective defense treaty, potentially implicating Washington in a clash between China and the Philippines.
Washington sees Beijing as its key strategic rival globally. Upon taking office, Trump launched a tit-for-tat tariff war with China that has upended global trade and supply chains.
Other points of friction between the countries include China's support for Russia, the illicit opioid trade, China's growing pressure on Taiwan and exit bans on some American residents.
In recent weeks, Trump has sought to lower tensions, describing his personal relations with Xi as healthy.
Trump has sought to impose tariffs on virtually all foreign goods, including both China and U.S. allies in Asia like the Philippines. He says this will stimulate domestic manufacturing, but critics say many consumer goods will become more expensive for Americans.
The president has called for a universal base tariff rate of 10% on goods imported from all countries, with higher rates for some. Imports from China have the highest tariff rate of 55%.
Trump has set a deadline of August 12 for the U.S. and China to reach a durable tariff agreement. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
US says tariff deadline of Aug 1 is firm, no extensions
Find out what's new on ST website and app. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the US will no longer offer grace periods after Aug 1. WASHINGTON – The US deadline of Aug 1 for imposing tariffs on its trading partners is firm and there will be no extensions, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on July 27. 'So, no extensions, no more grace periods. Aug 1, the tariffs are set. They'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money, and off we go,' Mr Lutnick told Fox News on Sunday. After the levies kick in, President Donald Trump – who was negotiating on July 27 in Scotland with European Union officials – is still willing to keep talking, Mr Lutnick said. Of the Europeans, he said, 'you know they're hoping they make a deal, and it's up to President Trump, who's the leader of this negotiating table. We set the table'. So far, five countries have struck deals with the Trump administration ahead of the Aug 1 deadline as it tries to overhaul the global system of largely free trade by slapping tariffs on countries that the United States deems as engaging in unfair practices. These five are Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. The levies they accepted are often higher than the new base rate of 10 per cent that the US has applied to most countries since April. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 But they are far below the levels the Trump administration threatened to impose if no deal were reached. AFP
Business Times
an hour ago
- Business Times
US says tariff deadline of Aug 1 is firm, no extensions
[WASHINGTON] The US deadline of August one for imposing tariffs on its trading partners is firm and there will be no extensions, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday (Jul 27). 'So no extensions, no more grace periods. August 1, the tariffs are set. They'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money, and off we go,' Lutnick told Fox News Sunday. After the levies kick in, President Donald Trump – who was negotiating Sunday in Scotland with European Union officials – is still willing to keep talking, Lutnick said. Of the Europeans, Lutnick said, 'You know they're hoping they make a deal, and it's up to President Trump, who's the leader of this negotiating table. We set the table.' So far five countries have struck deals with the Trump administration ahead of the Friday deadline as it tries to overhaul the global system of largely free trade by slapping tariffs on countries that the US deems as engaging in unfair practices. These five are Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia the Philippines, and Japan. The levies they accepted are often higher than the new base rate of 10 per cent that the US has applied to most countries since April. But they are far below the levels the Trump administration threatened to impose if no deal were reached. AFP
Business Times
2 hours ago
- Business Times
Trump, EU's von der Leyen to meet to clinch trade deal
[GLASGOW] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Jul 27) to clinch a trade deal for Europe that would likely see a 15 per cent baseline tariff on most EU goods, but end months of uncertainty for EU companies. US and EU negotiators huddled in final talks on tariffs facing crucial sectors like cars, steel, aluminium and pharmaceuticals before the meeting, which is expected at 1530 GMT on Trump's golf course in Turnberry, western Scotland. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick flew to Scotland on Saturday and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic arrived on Sunday morning. Lutnick told 'Fox News Sunday' that the EU needed to open its markets for more US exports to convince Trump to reduce a threatened 30 per cent tariff rate that is due to kick in on Aug 1. 'The question is, do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off of the 30 per cent tariffs that he set,' Lutnick said, adding that the EU clearly wanted – and needed – to reach an agreement. A separate US administration official was upbeat that a deal was possible. 'We're cautiously optimistic that there will be a deal reached,' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'But it's not over till it's over.' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The EU deal would be a huge prize, given that the US and EU are each other's largest trading partners by far and account for a third of global trade. Ambassadors of EU governments, on a weekend trip to Greenland organised by the Danish presidency of the EU, held a teleconference with EU Commission officials on Sunday to agree on the amount of leeway von der Leyen would have. In case there is no deal and the US imposes 30 per cent tariffs from Aug 1, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros (S$140 billion) of US goods. EU diplomats have said a deal would likely include a broad 15 per cent tariff on EU goods imported into the US, mirroring the US-Japan trade deal, along with a 50 per cent tariff on European steel and aluminium for which there could be export quotas. EU officials are hopeful that a 15 per cent baseline tariff would also apply to cars, replacing the current 27.5 per cent auto tariff. Possible exemptions Some expect the 27-nation bloc may be able to secure exemptions from the 15 per cent baseline tariff for its aerospace industry and for spirits, though probably not for wine. The EU could also pledge to buy more liquefied natural gas from the US, a long-standing offer, and boost investment in the US. Trump told reporters there was 'not a lot' of wiggle room on the 50 per cent tariffs that the US has on steel and aluminium imports, adding, 'because if I do it for one, I have to do it for all.' The US president, in Scotland for a few days of golfing and bilateral meetings, told reporters upon his arrival on Friday evening that von der Leyen was a highly respected leader and he was looking forward to meeting with her. He said there was a 50-50 chance that the two sides could reach a framework trade pact, adding that Brussels wanted to 'make a deal very badly'. The EU now faces US tariffs on more than 70 per cent of its exports, with 50 per cent on steel and aluminium, an extra 25 per cent on cars and car parts on top of the existing 2.5 per cent and a 10 per cent levy on most other EU goods. EU officials have said a 'no-deal' tariff rate of 30 per cent would wipe out whole chunks of transatlantic commerce. A 15 per cent tariff on most EU goods would remove uncertainty but would be seen by many in Europe as a poor outcome compared to the initial European ambition of a zero-for-zero tariff deal on all industrial goods. Seeking to learn from Japan, which secured a 15 per cent baseline tariff with the US in a deal earlier this week, EU negotiators spoke to their Japanese counterparts in preparation for Sunday's meeting. For Trump, aiming to reorder the global economy and reduce decades-old US trade deficits, a deal with the EU would be the biggest trade agreement, surpassing the US$550 billion deal with Japan. So far, he has reeled in agreements with Britain, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam, although his administration has failed to deliver on a promise of '90 deals in 90 days.' REUTERS
