Trump Calls Xi a 'Tough Negotiator' as Trade Tensions Rise

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High-Stakes Talks Between Trump and Xi Aim to Cool Trade Tensions

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have initiated what is expected to be a three to four-hour in-person meeting, aiming to ease the growing tensions of a trade war that has raised concerns about its potential impact on the global economy. The talks took place at South Korea’s Gimhae Air Base, a military facility near Busan, the country’s second-largest city.

During a brief media event at the start of their summit, Trump expressed confidence in the meeting, calling it “a very successful meeting” and describing Xi as “a very tough negotiator.” He emphasized his long-standing relationship with Xi, stating, “We have a great understanding. We have a great relationship, we’ve always had a great relationship.”

A short while later, during another photo opportunity before the discussions began, Trump referred to Xi as “a friend of mine” and praised him as “very distinguished and respected.” He also mentioned that he and Xi had already agreed on several points and anticipated reaching more agreements during the talks. Trump highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the two nations, saying, “I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time.”

Xi, speaking through a translator, described the meeting as “a great pleasure” and noted that he and Trump had communicated multiple times since Trump returned to the White House. He acknowledged that while differences exist between the two countries, such friction is natural for the world’s two largest economies. He emphasized the need for both leaders to stay on course and ensure the continued progress of China-U.S. relations.

Xi also reiterated his belief that China and the United States should work together as partners and friends, a sentiment he has often expressed publicly. He added that he was ready to collaborate with Trump to build a solid foundation for bilateral relations and create an environment conducive to mutual development.

Trump, who arrived by helicopter, had previously referred to the summit as the “G2” in a social media post. He also made a claim about resuming nuclear testing, but when asked to clarify, he declined to provide further details.

This meeting marks Trump’s first face-to-face encounter with Xi since returning to power in January. It follows a series of phone calls between the two leaders over the past nine months. The summit offers an opportunity for Trump to de-escalate tensions between the world's two largest economies, which have been strained by his use of unilateral import taxes and Beijing’s export controls on rare earth elements.

The ongoing trade war has caused market volatility and raised fears of a global economic crisis. However, the anticipation of a resolution has led to a sense of relief among investors, with American stock markets seeing gains as hopes for a new trade framework grow.

Trump announced his intention to meet with Xi last month after a productive phone call focused on TikTok’s operations in the U.S. Since then, he has increased his rhetoric against Beijing, accusing China of using its soybean purchasing power in negotiations. He has also criticized China’s proposed restrictions on rare earth elements and threatened to impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese goods, though he later admitted that such a high rate is unsustainable.

American officials have echoed this sentiment following preparatory meetings with Chinese counterparts in Kuala Lumpur. Chinese trade negotiator Li Chenggang mentioned a “preliminary consensus,” while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described a “very successful framework” for the leader-to-leader talks.

Trump suggested he might lower tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, citing the need to address the fentanyl crisis. Despite his optimism, outstanding issues remain, including China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and competition in technology and manufacturing sectors. Other concerns include China’s influence abroad and its stance on Taiwan.

Administration officials have indicated that the talks will focus primarily on trade and commerce, with Trump not planning to discuss Taiwan during the meeting.