 "Watch the words coming from China and US before Trump-Xi meet")
As anticipation builds for the meeting between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Washington and Beijing are projecting sharply contrasting tones — optimism from Trump’s camp, and caution from China’s leadership.
Li Qiang warns against ‘unilateralism’
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday cautioned against the rising tide of “unilateralism” in global trade, urging nations not to return to “the law of the jungle” amid escalating tariff tensions with the United States.
Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Li said that economic globalisation and multipolarity are “irreversible”, and called for stronger support for the global free trade system. He warned that unilateralism and protectionism are “rampant” and pose “huge risks to the region”.
His remarks come as Beijing pushes back against Washington’s tougher trade policies and technology restrictions, signalling that China prefers a rules-based international economic order ahead of the Trump-Xi dialogue.
Trump strikes upbeat tone before meeting Xi
Donald Trump, meanwhile, has projected confidence as he begins his Asia tour focused on strengthening business relations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, he predicted that a US-China trade deal would be finalised before his return to Washington.
“We pretty much agreed that I’ll be going to China,” Trump said, expressing optimism about his upcoming visit. “I have a lot of respect for President Xi,” he added. “He likes me a lot, I believe, and respects me. And I think he respects our country a lot. We’re going to have a successful transaction for both countries.”
Early diplomatic test in Japan
Before meeting Xi, Trump also held talks with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi — the country’s first woman leader — in what will be her first major diplomatic test since taking office last week.
Takaichi leads a fragile coalition and faces the challenge of balancing Japan’s domestic priorities with regional expectations.
During his flight, Trump was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. He said his visit would emphasise the “great friendship” between the US and Japan.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I hear phenomenal things” about Takaichi, Trump said, noting her close ties with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom he shared a strong rapport. “It’s going to be very good,” he added. “That really helps Japan and the United States.”
Taiwan watches closely
In Taipei, attention is fixed on the Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea, with some fearing that Taiwan’s interests could be compromised in a potential US-China trade bargain. However, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung dismissed such concerns on Tuesday, saying he was not worried Trump would “abandon” the island.
“No, because our Taiwan-US relations are very stable,” Lin told reporters in Taipei. “No matter whether on security, trade and business and other areas, there is close co-operation,” he added.
Since taking office earlier this year, Trump has shifted his tone toward Taiwan — which China claims as its own — while pursuing a trade deal with Beijing. He has said Xi assured him that China would not invade during his presidency, though he has yet to approve new US arms sales to Taipei.
The United States, like most countries, does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is legally obligated to provide the island with defensive support — a commitment that often strains ties with Beijing.
A meeting of contrasts
Trump’s upbeat tone about “successful transactions” and “great friendships” stands in sharp contrast to Li Qiang’s warnings against “unilateralism” and “protectionism”.
As both leaders prepare for their meeting, the differing rhetoric underscores the delicate balance of optimism and caution shaping one of the world’s most closely watched relationships.
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