President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, expected to focus on trade between the world’s two largest economies.
During talks between US and Chinese representatives, Trump told reporters that the two have “already agreed on many things, and we will agree on some more things,” although he did not elaborate. He previously suggested the two would discuss Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips, as well as business more broadly.
Xi told Trump that the two countries “will not always meet eye to eye”, but argued that China’s development “goes hand in hand with your vision of making America great again.”
The meeting ended after less than two hours. The two leaders emerged and appeared to be chatting cordially before Xi sat in a waiting car and Trump headed to Air Force One for a return flight to Washington.
Trump and Xi have spoken by phone several times since Trump took office in January, but Thursday marked their first in-person meeting since 2019.
Shortly before their meeting, Trump had posted on Truth Social gave instructions The Defense Department will immediately begin testing US nuclear weapons on a similar basis to China and Russia.
The president did not answer reporters’ questions about his changes on soybean purchases, Taiwan or nuclear testing.
As White House officials sat down across from Xi and Chinese officials, Trump also ignored questions about why he chose to restart the nuclear program less than an hour before the sit-down.
Trump has often spoken warmly of Xi and downplayed tensions between Washington and Beijing. But both countries have imposed tariffs on other imports, China has stopped buying soybeans from American farmers, and some foreign policy experts have raised concerns about Xi’s ties to other autocrats, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Thursday’s meeting was expected to focus heavily on trade talks. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said negotiators from both countries held talks on Sunday. established a framework To sign an agreement between the two leaders and avoid higher tariffs.
UPDATE 12:25 AM
