Trump offers platitudes while Xi warns of possible confrontation during China summit
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping issued stern warnings on Thursday about avoiding potential conflict between his country and the United States, even warning visiting President Donald Trump that Washington’s handling of relations with Taiwan could lead to “conflicts” that could “put the entire relationship in grave danger.”
That harsh tone was in sharp contrast to Trump, who kicked off the highly anticipated summit with Xi by praising his Chinese counterpart and saying “it’s an honor to be your friend.”
The contrast underlined how far the leaders remain apart on thorny issues such as the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington’s relations with Taiwan, and suggested that Trump and Xi’s highly anticipated talks are likely to take place soon. longer on spectacle and symbolism than major breakthroughs.
The two met behind closed doors in the Great Hall of the People for nearly two hours and discussed trade and other matters. According to the statement published by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning on the
This came after Trump made platitudes in brief comments before the meeting began. The Republican president said of Xi: “You are a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me to say this, but I say it anyway because it’s true.”
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said, promising that “relations between China and the United States will be better than ever.”
Xi took a darker tone in his opening remarks, expressing hope that the United States and China could avoid conflict, while saying history and the world had asked “whether the two countries can overcome the ‘Thucydides Trap’ and create a new model for relations between great powers.”
The Chinese leader, using a term popular in foreign policy studies, said that a rising power threatens to be displaced an entrenched power, the result is often war.
“Cooperation benefits both sides, while conflict harms both sides,” Xi said. “The two countries should be partners, not rivals, achieve success together, pursue common prosperity, and chart the right path in major country relations in the new era.”
Xi has previously mentioned the “Thucydides Trap” regarding US-China relations, dating back to 2014. The Chinese leader also included this in the messages he sent to Trump’s predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden, in 2022 and 2024.
Still, Trump’s use of the term while offering optimism was notable and foreshadowed his comments about Taiwan behind closed doors.
The comments came after an elaborate welcome ceremony
The meeting was held in the Great Hall of the People, an imposing building in Tiananmen Square that houses China’s legislature, and followed a sweeping salute to Trump, accompanied by exploding cannons and an orchestra playing the “Star-Spangled Banner” and the Chinese national anthem.
Brightly colored schoolchildren performed a welcome routine, jumping up and down as the two leaders walked past, girls waving flowers and boys hoisting American and Chinese flags.
The Republican president and Xi later visited the Temple of Heaven, a 15th-century religious complex, and Trump was later set to attend a state banquet with Xi.
The White House has insisted that Trump will not go on the trip without considering securing results before he leaves. Trade related announcements are coming. This could include China committing to buying U.S. soybeans, beef and aircraft. Trump administration officials also want to work toward establishing a Board of Trade with China to address trade differences between the countries.
But neither side has yet offered concrete details about what might emerge from the three-day visit as Beijing draws closer. Economic relations with Iran It can complicate things.
Economic questions still loom on the horizon
Trump’s trip sounds like this Iran continues its dominance fuels the domestic agenda and fears about the possibility of a development The weakening of the US economy As election season approaches november midterm exams – When Republicans will try to maintain control of Congress — begins to warm up.
The US and Israel’s war in Iran has led to an effective shutdown of Iran. Strait of HormuzIt threatens global economic growth by causing oil and natural gas tankers to run aground and energy prices to rise.
In Washington, the politics of the war became even more complex. Senate Republicans once again blocked Democrats’ bill to halt hostilities in Iran – but Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski He went against his party and became the third Republican in the House to vote against continuing the war.
China is the biggest Buyer of Iranian oilSecretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity that Trump will argue that Beijing should use its influence on Iran, and that administration officials will underline that “economies are melting down due to this crisis,” which means consumers are “buying less Chinese products.”
“So it’s in their interest to resolve this,” Rubio said of Chinese officials. “We hope to persuade them to play a more active role in ensuring that Iran moves away from what it is doing now and what it is trying to do in the Persian Gulf.”
This contrasted with Trump, who played down suggestions he would pressure Xi to do more to pressure Iran to open the strait. The president also said that the pressure on the US economy will not compromise US demands while negotiating with Iran. fragile truce. When asked as he left the White House whether the financial stability of ordinary Americans had affected the Iran negotiations, Trump said, “Not even a little bit.”
But mixed messages about inflation and war were also evident when Vice President JD Vance denied Trump’s remarks that the US economy was not an important factor in seeking a solution with Tehran.
“I think it’s a misrepresentation of what the president said,” Vance said of Trump’s comments.
Taiwan issues remain contentious amid ongoing negotiations on trade
Taiwan is especially important, given that China is unhappy with US plans to sell arms to the island. Trump administration approved 11 billion dollar arms package For Taiwan, however, it has not yet begun to deliver. There is also Trump Showed more ambivalence towards Taiwan – An approach that raises questions about whether it would be open to rejecting support for the island’s democracy.
Trump also brought a group of US businessmen to China, where he and Trump also discussed trade; The Chinese leader said that China’s door of opportunity will open wider and wider.
USA and China reached an agreement trade truce Last year, this calmed threats from each side to impose high tariffs on the other. The White House said there are ongoing discussions and mutual interest in extending the agreement.
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Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Darlene Superville in Washington and Simina Mistreanu in Bangkok contributed to this report.
