Trump confident of deal with Xi as leaders prepare to meet
The talks in Kuala Lumpur are designed to ease tensions after both sides engaged in a new round of tit-for-tat trade restrictions this month and facilitate the process of reaching some kind of agreement when Trump and Xi meet on Thursday for the first time in the US president’s second term.
Speaking after the talks, Chinese Trade Representative Li Chenggang said that “the US’s stance is firm” but that both sides reached a “preliminary consensus”.
“We have had very intensive consultations and constructive exchanges to explore solutions and regulations to address these concerns.”
“I think we’re going to make a deal with China,” Trump told reporters in Malaysia as trade talks wrapped up on Sunday.
Trump used his first stop on his five-day Asia tour to sign trade and critical mineral deals with Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia before meeting Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
Trump, who initially hit Southeast Asia with the highest tariffs in a global trade war that triggered concerns from allied partners that he would push the region towards China, offered a message of support.
In his speech at the summit, Trump said, “My message to Southeast Asian countries is that the United States is with you 100 percent and we plan to be a strong partner and friend for generations to come.” he said.
Trump’s five-day Asia tour will see him depart Malaysia for Japan on Monday to meet with new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, then move on to South Korea to meet with President Lee Jae Myung and then Xi.
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