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Donald Trump is expected to travel to China and meet Xi Jinping by April this year as he seeks to improve strained ties following threats of imposing more steep tariffs on Chinese imports.
A report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoted sources as saying that Trump has told advisers he wants to travel to China after he takes office.
One of the sources said Trump has expressed interest in traveling to China in his first 100 days in office.
Trump takes oath as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20. For the event, he had invited Xi, but the Chinese leader is sending China’s Vice President Han Zheng instead.
On Friday (January 17), Trump dialed Xi for the first time since the November 5 election and during the call, discussed trade, fentanyl, TikTok among other matters.
US-China can ‘solve many problems together’
After the call, Trump wrote on social media, “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately.”
The WSJ report cited people close to Beijing’s decision-making as saying that Trump and Xi, through their representatives, have discussed meeting in person, with one option involving the incoming president inviting the Chinese leader to the US. However, it is not clear if Trump raised a visit to China in his conversation with Xi on Friday.
Detailing about Trump-Xi’s phone call on Friday, China’s official account said that both the leaders agreed upon establishing a strategic communication channel.
It also quoted Trump telling Xi that he was “looking forward to meeting with President Xi as soon as possible.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDuring the call on Friday, Xi reportedly reminded Trump to handle the issue of Taiwan “with prudence," calling it a concern of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
For Trump, Xi could be a perfect partner in helping bring the war in Ukraine to an end, as China has provided support to Russia, drawing the ire of US lawmakers.
Last time Trump visited Beijing was in late 2017, months after a face-to-face meeting with Xi at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida estate.
Trump likely to visit India
The WSJ report cited sources further saying that Trump also spoke to advisers about a possible trip to India where he would meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other leaders. His India visit is also likely to be as early as April this year.
Preliminary discussions have already been initiated with India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar during his visit to Washington last month with follow-up action expected in the coming week after Trump’s inauguration when the EAM is expected to parley with his counterparts from US, Japan, and Australia to discuss the upcoming Quad summit.
After taking oath as the US President on Monday, Trump’s initial focus is expected to be on domestic moves, including sharp new border security measures and increased deportations.
In the first week of his presidency, Trump is expected to travel around the US to tout executive orders he’s planning to sign on energy and other issues. He is also planning to tour fire-ravaged Los Angeles later in the week.
With inputs from agencies
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