Trump seeks to mend fences with Xi in possible April visit
Washington and Beijing are preparing a face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The American could fly to China as early as April, reports "South China Morning Post".
According to "SCMP", citing diplomatic sources, both sides want to organise talks at home to present them as a diplomatic triumph. A visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to China is currently being discussed.
One Chinese source reported that a summit is planned for April, but no date has been set. An American source told "SCMP" that April is the earliest month the meeting could occur. Another source mentioned that talks are also possible in May. "SCMP" interviewees believe that the date might be determined after the conclusion of peace negotiations related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Trump hoped that Xi would visit his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The two politicians had already met there in 2017. However, the Chinese side wants the talks to be more formal.
Trump's difficult relations with China
Another Chinese source emphasised that radical changes made negotiating with Washington after Trump's return to the White House more challenging.
In January, Trump and Xi Jinping had a phone conversation. The Republican has repeatedly suggested meeting the Chinese leader after the inauguration. In mid-February, he expressed hope for a prompt meeting.
At the beginning of February, Trump, however, imposed tariffs on Chinese products, doubling them in March. In response, Beijing imposed tariffs on, among other things, American crude oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas. The U.S. President then stated that he is "in no rush" to meet the Chinese leader.
