Trump to meet with Xi Jinping on Thursday at high-stakes US-China summit
Kyiv • UNN
Trump and Xi Jinping will discuss the war in Iran and weapons for Taiwan in Beijing. The meeting is dedicated to trade and resolving the global energy crisis.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet Thursday morning in Beijing for a high-stakes summit focused on trade issues and the war with Iran, according to the White House, UNN reports citing Bloomberg.
Details
This is the first visit by a U.S. president to China in nearly a decade, and it comes as the leaders of the world's two largest economies attempt to resolve a range of bilateral issues and tensions related to the Middle East conflict.
Trump is expected to press Xi Jinping for answers regarding China's approach to Iran, a U.S. official who briefed reporters ahead of the trip said, specifically concerning Tehran's revenues and potential arms exports.
The three-month conflict has strained U.S.-China relations as Trump seeks to pressure Tehran to end the war they launched in late February. These efforts include sanctions against a number of Chinese companies for purchasing Iranian oil.
US imposes new sanctions over Iranian oil supplies to China12.05.26, 00:41 • 2464 views
On Monday, Trump stated he would discuss with his Chinese counterpart the sale of U.S. weapons to Taiwan, a self-governing island that the Communist Party considers its territory, despite never having ruled it. Since 1979, U.S. law has mandated that Washington support Taiwan's self-defense capabilities, including through arms sales.
During a phone call earlier this year, Xi Jinping asked the Republican leader to approach such sales with caution after the U.S. approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December.
"I'm going to discuss it," Trump said. "President Xi would like us not to do that. And I will discuss it."
The U.S. President also confirmed he would raise the issue of imprisoned Hong Kong businessman Jimmy Lai—another sensitive matter for China. Lai, the founder of the now-defunct Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, was sentenced in February to 20 years in prison on charges of conspiracy and sedition under Beijing's National Security Law.
"People would like to see him out. And I would like to see him out, too," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. "So I will raise that issue again."
These talks will take place against a tense backdrop, as Trump warned on Monday that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is on "massive life support" after he rejected Tehran's latest peace proposal.
Trump stated that the ceasefire in Iran is "on life support"11.05.26, 20:17 • 2742 views
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has deprived Gulf countries of the ability to export oil and gas, triggering a global energy crisis. China is a major oil importer and has been forced to find ways to prevent domestic shortages. Trump is also expected to push for Xi Jinping to discuss plans for a new trade council to address bilateral economic issues.
According to the White House schedule, Trump is due to arrive in China on Wednesday evening. In addition to bilateral talks with Xi Jinping on Thursday morning, he will attend a state banquet that evening. On Friday, Trump and Xi Jinping will also have tea and lunch together before the U.S. President leaves China for Washington later that day.