Trump may travel to China to meet Xi in 'not-too-distant future'
"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."
Reuters has reported that 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, 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 II, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to attend.
The White House and the Chinese government had declined to comment on that earlier Reuters report.
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 successfully moved away from China, even as he said it was fine for the two countries to have relations.
Trump has sought to lower tensions with Beijing in recent weeks after pausing a tit-for-tat tariff war that has upended global trade and supply chains.
Trump has sought to impose tariffs on virtually all foreign goods, which he says will stimulate domestic manufacturing and which critics say will make many consumer goods more expensive for Americans.
He has called for a universal base tariff rate of 10% on goods imported from all countries, with higher rates for imports from some, including China. 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.
Other points of friction between the countries include China's support for Russia, trade in fentanyl-related chemicals, regional security worries, and exit bans on some American residents.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Nikkei Asia
an hour ago
- Nikkei Asia
Can BRICS spearhead a new multipolar world order?
Leaders of the newly expanded BRICS group pose for a photo at the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 7. © Reuters TORU TAKAHASHI TOKYO -- One of the most pressing strategic challenges facing Japan, and many other Asian countries, is how to navigate a world marked by growing uncertainty while safeguarding the principles of multilateralism. Unfortunately, this critical issue received little attention during Japan's recent upper house election. Yet the long-standing norm of multilateral cooperation -- a cornerstone of the existing international order -- is under strain. Two recent international summits underscored this "clear and present danger" and its far-reaching repercussions.


Yomiuri Shimbun
an hour ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Govt to Support Domestic Mass Production of Next-Generation Solar Cells; Aims for 1GW Annual Production Capacity by '30
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry plans to promote the domestic mass production of next-generation perovskite solar cells. Using a government fund, the ministry plans to select companies to support within this fiscal year with the aim of achieving an annual production capacity of about 1 gigawatt, which is sufficient to meet the energy needs of about 300,000 government aims to further popularize the adoption of solar power generation by also strengthening support for tandem solar panels, which utilize both silicon and perovskite cells. These panels are expected to be capable of achieving power generation efficiency of 1.5 times to 2 times greater than conventional solar panels. Tandem solar panels can also easily replace conventional solar panels as they can use the same mounts and wiring. Using the Green Innovation Fund, aimed at promoting decarbonization technologies, the ministry will provide financial support for the development and demonstration of mass production technologies. Companies eligible for support will be required to reduce power generation costs to 12 yen or less per kilowatt-hour, which is about 10% less than for conventional solar panels, and achieve a lifespan of about 20 years. As key players for domestic production, the ministry envisages such companies as Kaneka Corp. — a chemical manufacturer leading the development of tandem cells — and Choshu Industry Co. — which holds about a 20% share of the domestic market for solar cells for residential use. As domestic companies account for as much as about 70% of the residential solar cell market, the ministry considers this an area with potential for expansion. In the solar cell sector, Chinese manufacturers are leading the market, with multiple companies having already begun mass production of tandem cells, a stage no Japanese company has yet reached. Choshu Industry plans to set up a test line at its main factory by the end of this year, aiming to start mass production as soon as possible. In the development of perovskite solar cells, Sekisui Chemical Co. is leading the market with a thin and lightweight film type, while Panasonic Corp. is pioneering a glass type that can be used as a building material.


Asahi Shimbun
an hour ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Hong Kong's CK Hutchison seeks Chinese investor to join Panama Ports deal
Workers carry out maintenance at the Pedro Miguel locks of the Panama Canal during routine upkeep in Panama City on May 30. (AP Photo) HONG KONG--A Hong Kong conglomerate that's selling ports at the Panama Canal said Monday it may seek a Chinese investor to join a consortium of buyers, a move that could please Beijing but bring more U.S. scrutiny to the geopolitically fraught deal. CK Hutchison Holdings' initial plan to sell port assets in dozens of countries to a group that includes U.S. investment firm BlackRock Inc. pleased President Donald Trump, who has alleged that China interferes with the critical shipping lane's operations in Panama. However, they apparently angered Beijing and drew a review from Chinese anti-monopoly authorities. A Beijing-backed newspaper posted scathing commentaries about the deal, with one describing it as a betrayal of all Chinese. Beijing's offices overseeing Hong Kong affairs have reposted some of these commentaries, widely seen as an indication of Chinese leaders' stance. A Hutchison subsidiary has operated ports at both ends of the Panama Canal since 1997. After months of uncertainty brought by tensions between Washington and Beijing, Hutchison said in a statement that the exclusive negotiations period with the consortium has expired. However, it added 'the Group remains in discussions with members of the consortium with a view to inviting major strategic investor from the PRC to join as a significant member of the consortium,' referring to the People's Republic of China. It said they needed to change the membership of the consortium and the structure of the transaction for the deal to be able to pass reviews by 'all relevant authorities.' The awkward position Hutchison found itself in for months highlights the challenges Hong Kong business elites face in navigating Beijing's expectations of national loyalty, especially when relations between China and the United States are strained. Hong Kong has overhauled its electoral system to ensure the city is run by 'patriots.' CK Hutchison is owned by the family of Hong Kong's richest man, Li Ka-shing. It announced March 4 that it would sell all its shares in Hutchison Port Holdings and in Hutchison Port Group Holdings to the consortium that also includes BlackRock subsidiary Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited, a subsidiary of the Mediterranean Shipping Company. In May, Hutchinson co-managing director, Dominic Lai told shareholders that Terminal Investment was the main investor. Its parent company is led by Italian shipping scion Diego Aponte, whose family reportedly has a longstanding relationship with Li's. The initial deal, valued at nearly $23 billion including $5 billion in debt, would have given the consortium control over 43 ports in 23 countries, including the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, located at either end of the canal. That agreement also required approval from Panama's government. The deadline for their exclusive negotiation period ended on July 27.