The meeting has highlighted how far apart the two leaders remain on thorny issues such as the Iran war, trade disputes and Taiwan.
Beijing, China – Chinese leaders Xi Jinping On Thursday, he issued a stern warning about avoiding a possible conflict between his country and the United States, even warning the visiting president Donald Trump The way Washington handles its relationships Taiwan May cause “conflict”.
His tone contrasted with Trump, who praised his Chinese counterpart at the start of a much-anticipated summit with Xi Jinping and declared it was “an honor to be your friend.”
It underscored how far apart the two leaders remain over thorny issues such as the Iran war, trade disputes and Taiwan, and suggested that Trump’s three-day visit to China may be coming to an end. Longer Celebrations and Symbolism A significant bilateral 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 on X by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, Xi Jinping told Trump that “the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in Sino-US relations.”
“If handled properly, the bilateral relationship will maintain overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will conflict or even conflict, putting the entire relationship in great danger,” she wrote.
In a brief public exchange before the meeting, Trump uttered some platitudes, telling Xi: “You’re 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 struck a darker tone in his opening remarks, expressing hope that the United States and China would avoid conflict and asking whether “the two countries can transcend the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and build a new type of major-power relationship.”
He used a term popular in foreign policy studies that refers to when a rising power threatens to displace an established power, the result is often war.
Xi Jinping said, “Cooperation will benefit both countries, and confrontation will hurt both.” “The two countries should be partners, not competitors.”
As early as 2014, Xi Jinping mentioned the “Thucydides Trap” in Sino-US relations.
Before the meeting, Trump was welcomed with an elaborate ceremony, in which cannons rumbled and a band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Chinese national anthem.
Hundreds of schoolchildren performed a welcoming ceremony, with girls waving flowers and boys holding up American and Chinese flags as Trump and Xi walked past them.
After the meeting, the leaders visited the Temple of Heaven, a religious complex built in the 15th century. Trump will then attend a state dinner with Xi Jinping.
Xi’s warning to Taiwan reflects China’s dissatisfaction with U.S. plans to sell arms to Taiwan. The Trump administration has approved an $11 billion arms program to Taiwan, but has not yet started implementing it. Trump has also shown greater ambivalence toward Taiwan, an attitude that has raised questions about whether he will reduce his support for Taiwan’s democracy.
Trump had no immediate comment on his remarks during the private portion of the meeting. But Xi said the two agreed to work with Trump to establish a new direction for U.S.-China relations, which the official Xinhua News Agency reported was “constructive, strategic and stable.”
Taiwan, meanwhile, said it was grateful for Washington’s “long-term support.”
“The government takes a positive view on all actions that contribute to regional stability and manage potential risks of authoritarian expansion,” Michelle Reis, spokesperson for Taiwan’s chief executive, told reporters. She added that the United States “has also repeatedly reiterated its firm and clear stance in supporting Taiwan.”
The White House insists Trump will not travel without an eye on securing an outcome before leaving, suggesting an announcement on trade could be on the way. 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 both sides have yet to provide specific details on what Trump’s trip might entail, as Beijing’s close economic ties with Iran could complicate matters.
The leaders discussed trade issues at the meeting, and Xi Jinping said China’s door of opportunity will open wider and wider. Xi Jinping also met with American business leaders who accompanied Trump on his visit to China.
The United States and China reached a trade truce last year, quelling threats from each side to impose steep tariffs on the other. The White House said the two sides have been discussing extending the deal and both sides are interested.
George Chen, a partner at Asia Group Consulting, said Xi Jinping’s “red line” on the Taiwan issue has been very clear. But Chen said Xi also struck a welcoming tone on the economic front and wanted to reassure the U.S. business community that China was a place where profits could flow.
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.
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.”
That contradicts Trump, who has downplayed suggestions that he would ask Xi to pressure Iran to open the strait, even telling reporters that concerns about the U.S. economy would not influence his approach to Iran.
Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Darlene Superville in Washington, Simina Mistreanu in Bangkok and Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed to this report.
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