President Donald Trump called Chinese President Xi Jinping a friend at the start of his trip to Beijing. His warm words were in stark contrast to Xi Jinping.
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping issued a stern warning Thursday to avoid a possible conflict between China and the United States, even warning visiting U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington’s handling of relations with Taiwan could lead to “conflicts” that could put “the entire relationship in great danger.”
The harsh tone contrasted with Trump, who praised the Chinese president at the much-anticipated summit with Xi Jinping, declaring it “an honor to be your friend.”
The contrast underscores how far apart the two leaders remain on thorny issues such as the Iran war, trade disputes and Washington’s relationship with Taiwan, and suggests that a much-anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi could be delayed. Longer Celebrations and Symbolism A major breakthrough.
The two met behind closed doors at the Great Hall of the People for about two hours to discuss trade and other issues. According to news posted by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on
Trump made brief remarks before the meeting began, offering some platitudes. The Republican president said of Xi Jinping: “You are a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying that, but I say it anyway because it’s the truth.”
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said before pledging that “China-U.S. relations will be better than ever.”
Xi Jinping’s tone was darker in his opening remarks, expressing the hope that the United States and China would avoid conflict. He also said that history and the world are asking “whether the two countries can transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and build a new type of major-country relationship.”
Chinese leaders used a term popular in foreign policy studies that refers to when a rising power threaten to replace For an established strong country, the result is often war.
Xi Jinping said, “Cooperation will benefit both countries, and confrontation will hurt both.” The two countries should be partners rather than rivals, achieve common success and prosperity, and jointly embark on a correct path for major-country relations in the new era.
As early as 2014, Xi Jinping mentioned the “Thucydides Trap” when talking about US-China relations. Chinese leaders also mentioned this in messages to Trump’s predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden, in 2022 and 2024.
Still, it’s notable that Trump invoked the word when he expressed optimism, foreshadowing his closed-door comments on Taiwan.
Comment after the carefully prepared welcome ceremony
The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People, a majestic building in Tiananmen Square and home to China’s legislative body. Later, accompanied by rumbling cannons and a band playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Chinese national anthem, Trump issued a grand greeting.
Students dressed in bright colors performed a welcome ceremony, with girls waving flowers and boys jumping with American and Chinese flags as the two leaders walked past.
The Republican president and Xi later visited the Temple of Heaven, a religious complex dating back to the 15th century, and Trump will later attend a state dinner with Xi.
The White House insists Trump will not travel without an eye on securing an outcome before leaving — a sign that there could be Upcoming Transaction Announcements. This could include Chinese commitments to buy U.S. soybeans, beef and aircraft. Trump administration officials also hope to work to establish a trade council with China to resolve business differences between the two countries.
But neither side provided specific details on what might come of the three-day visit as it wraps up in Beijing. Economic ties with Iran Might complicate things.
Economic problems remain
Trump’s trip comes at a great time Iran continues to dominate his domestic agenda and raised concerns about the outlook US economy weakens As election season approaches November midterm exam – when Republicans will seek to maintain control of Congress –starting to heat up.
The war between the United States and Israel in Iran resulted in the effective shutdown of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Strait of Hormuzoil and gas tankers ran aground, causing energy prices to soar and threatening global economic growth.
Back in Washington, the politics of the war became more complex. Senate Republicans again block Democratic legislation to halt hostilities against Iran — but Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski against her party, becoming the third Republican in the House to vote against continuing the war.
China is the largest iranian oil buyersIn an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump would make the case for Beijing’s influence on Iran, noting that administration officials would emphasize that “the economy is collapsing because of this crisis,” which means consumers are “buying less and less Chinese products.”
“So it’s in their interest to resolve this issue,” Rubio said of Chinese officials. “We hope to convince them to take a more active role and get Iran to abandon what they are doing and trying to do in the Persian Gulf.”
That contradicts Trump, who has downplayed suggestions he would press Xi Jinping to do more to force Iran to open the strait. The president also said pressure on the U.S. economy would not affect U.S. demands because he was negotiating with Iran. A fragile ceasefire. Asked as he left the White House whether the financial stability of ordinary Americans would affect the Iran negotiations, Trump responded: “Not at all.”
However, mixed messages about inflation and war were also evident, with Vice President Vance rejecting Trump’s own assertion that the U.S. economy was not a major factor in seeking to resolve issues with Tehran.
“I think it’s a misrepresentation of what the president said,” Vance said of Trump’s remarks.
Trade talks ongoing, Taiwan issue remains contentious
Particularly critical is Taiwan, as China is unhappy with U.S. plans to sell arms to Taiwan. The Trump administration has approved a $11 billion weapons package Taiwan, but has not yet begun implementation. Trump also Show greater ambivalence toward Taiwan — an approach that raises questions about whether he is willing to scale back his support for the island’s democratic institutions.
Trump also brought a group of American business leaders to China. He and Trump also discussed trade issues. The Chinese leader said that China’s door of opportunities will open wider and wider.
The United States and China have reached an agreement trade truce Last year, that quelled threats from both sides to impose steep tariffs on each other. The White House said the two sides have been discussing extending the deal and both sides are interested.
Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Darlene Superville in Washington and Simina Mistreanu in Bangkok contributed to this report.
