U.S. President Donald Trump described his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as “fantastic,” noting that “many decisions” were made. He stated that both sides agreed Xi would do his utmost to stop the flow of fentanyl.
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Trump clarified that not all issues were discussed, but he emphasized significant progress, including the reduction of tariffs on Chinese goods from 57% to 47%.
He added that the agreement with China will last one year and can be extended, covering the resolution of all issues related to rare earth metals.
A U.S. official accompanying Trump said China will continue exporting rare earth metals to the United States.
Trump headed directly to the presidential plane after his first direct meeting with Xi in six years, held in Busan, South Korea. He rated the meeting “12 out of 10”, and announced that he plans to visit China in April, while Xi will visit the United States later.
Trump also mentioned that he would work with Xi on the Ukraine issue “to reach something,” while Taiwan was not discussed during the meeting.
In a separate note, Trump stated that the United States may find it appropriate to conduct nuclear weapons tests “if others are doing so.”
The meeting aimed to reach a truce in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies, shortly after Trump announced that the U.S. would resume nuclear testing.
Trump praised Xi as a very strong negotiator, saying: “We will have a great understanding; we have always had a fantastic relationship.” He also said a trade deal with China could be signed on Thursday.
Xi told Trump that although their countries do not always agree, they should strive to be partners and friends. At the start of talks, Xi said:
“China and the United States can jointly take responsibility as two great nations and work together to achieve more great and tangible things for our countries and the world.”
The meeting included several senior U.S. officials, notably Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. From China, participants included Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, and Vice Premier He Lifeng.
Trump’s recent comments on nuclear weapons testing expanded the scope of his discussions with Xi. Before the meeting in Busan, Trump said he had directed the Department of Defense to begin U.S. nuclear weapons tests, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a successful underwater drone capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. possesses more nuclear weapons than any other country, adding:
“Russia is second, and China third by a large margin, but they will be equal in five years.”
According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, China last conducted a nuclear test in 1990, the U.S. in 1992, Russia in 1990, and North Korea in 2017.
The trade conflict between China and the U.S., covering everything from rare earth metals to soybeans and port tariffs, has disrupted markets and paralyzed supply chains for months.
After productive preparatory talks between negotiators from both sides, Trump stated on his way to South Korea:
“Many problems will be solved. We were talking to them… I think we will get a very good result for our country and the world.”
(Source: Reuters)
