U.S. President Donald Trump may visit China as soon as next month, according to diplomatic sources. The American leader has reportedly focused on securing a deal with Beijing following his return to the White House. Initial discussions have centered around Trump making the visit, although it is unclear how far these talks have progressed.
Both leaders have expressed interest in a high-profile diplomatic exchange, with China hoping for a formal meeting either in Washington or for Trump to visit Beijing. A Chinese official mentioned that it is currently more challenging for Beijing to engage with Washington due to ongoing political changes in the U.S. under the Biden administration.
Just days before Trump’s return to office on January 20, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call discussing a range of issues. A week later, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, no official meetings have been scheduled, as Rubio is currently sanctioned by China and unable to visit.
Sources revealed that both countries are working towards organizing a summit between Trump and Xi, with discussions aiming for April. However, no dates have been finalized yet. Trump has expressed interest in hosting Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where the two leaders previously met in 2017. On the other hand, China has hoped for a more formal diplomatic exchange, potentially after China’s “two sessions” political gathering, which concludes this week.
A diplomatic source stated that a visit by Trump to China, especially after the “two sessions,” would be seen as a significant diplomatic win for Beijing. American sources indicated that April remains the earliest possible time for Trump to visit China.
This visit would come amid ongoing trade tensions between China and the U.S., with Trump having recently doubled tariffs on Chinese goods. In response, China initiated retaliatory measures. Additionally, an investigation into China’s trade practices, initiated by Trump, is expected to conclude by April, potentially leading to further trade actions against Beijing.
While Trump has emphasized his strong personal relationship with Xi, he has also expressed openness to negotiating a new trade deal with China. The president has continued to highlight his positive rapport with the Chinese leader, although no specific timeline has been set for Xi’s visit to the U.S.
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