In a highly anticipated meeting after six years, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping convened to discuss bilateral relations and trade issues. The meeting took place in Busan, South Korea, on October 30, where both leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation between their nations.
Upon their meeting at Gimhae Airport, President Trump expressed optimism, stating, “We are going to have a very successful meeting,” while acknowledging Xi as a tough negotiator. The two leaders later participated in a press conference where Trump underscored their ongoing dialogues, having established many agreements previously and expressing confidence in reaching more common ground.
Xi responded by noting their communication since Trump’s inauguration, highlighting that their economic teams recently held discussions in Kuala Lumpur that resulted in a “basic consensus” important for their meeting. He acknowledged that as the two largest economies, the U.S. and China might have differences, but emphasized the need for partnership, asserting that the development of China and Trump’s goal of making America great are not mutually exclusive.
Following a closed-door meeting lasting approximately one hour and forty minutes, the leaders were seen shaking hands again as they exited. Reports indicate that during his return flight on Air Force One, Trump mentioned reaching an agreement to lower tariffs from 57% to 47% and planning a visit to China in April 2024, followed by Xi’s visit to the U.S. Additionally, the issue of rare earth minerals was reportedly resolved, while Taiwanese matters were not addressed during their discussions.
Accompanying Xi were several high-ranking Chinese officials, including Cai Qi from the Politburo, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and others. The U.S. delegation included key figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
This meeting sets the stage for further engagement between the two superpowers as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is set to occur on October 31 in Gyeongju, South Korea. While Trump is expected to return to the U.S. shortly after their discussions, Xi will continue his visit until November 1.
The emphasis on dialogue and cooperation may pave the way for a more stable relationship amidst ongoing global economic uncertainties, fostering hopes for constructive developments between the U.S. and China in the near future.