US, China confirm Trump-Xi meeting next week

BEIJING — China’s President Xi Jinping will meet his American counterpart next week in Florida, both governments confirmed on Thursday (March 30), ending weeks of speculation that they were set for face-to-face discussions on thorny issues dividing the world’s top two economies. 

The visit, which will take place at President Donald Trump’s resort Mar-a-Lago, follows a rocky start to United States-China relations under the billionaire politician, who has repeatedly blasted Beijing for its trade policies and reluctance to pressure North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes.

The meeting, which is scheduled for April 6-7, could be crucial in setting the tone of the relationship between the two powers in coming years.

Before arriving in the US, Mr Xi will pay a state visit to Finland, his first to the European Union this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said. He did not give any more details of the meeting agenda in Florida, but spoke of the need to see the big picture while fostering mutual interests in trade relations.

“The market dictates that interests between our two countries are structured so that you will always have me and I will always have you,” said Mr Lu. “Both sides should work together to make the cake of mutual interest bigger and not simply seek fairer distribution,” he said in response to a question about trade frictions.

In a statement issued by the White House confirming that Mr Trump will host his Chinese counterpart, it noted that this will be the first meeting between the two leaders.

“The two leaders will discuss global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual concern,” said the statement, adding that Mr Trump and the First Lady will also host Mr Xi and Madam Peng Liyuan for dinner on the evening of April 6.

Just weeks ago, the summit seemed a distant possibility after Mr Trump infuriated Beijing with suggestions he might break from the US’ long-standing One China policy. But in a conciliatory phone call in mid-February, the US President walked back controversial comments on Taiwan, creating an opening for Washington and Beijing to discuss a meeting.

Diplomatic sources in Beijing told AFP the meetings will primarily focus on giving the two leaders an opportunity to get to know each other, likely reserving tough issues for future talks.

“The summit could well be a peaceful combination of a strategic kumbaya and economic gift giving, before storms erupt later over trade, regional hot spots, and human resources issues,” said Mr Douglas Paal, Asia director at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 

But it will be hard to avoid discussion of the many tensions that separate the two nations.

Mr Trump has threatened to slap punitive tariffs of up to 45 per cent on Chinese goods and pledged during his election campaign to label China a currency manipulator. Relations have been strained by China’s fierce opposition to a US missile defence system being rolled out in South Korea to protect against attacks from the North. 

Beijing has also been reluctant to put pressure on Pyongyang for fear of destabilising its neighbour and historic ally. AGENCIES