Xi told Trump that even if the US and China don’t always agree, they should try to be “partners and friends”. Xi believes both countries should work together as major world powers to do “great and concrete things” for their people and the world.
Trump called Xi a “tough negotiator” but said he expected a “very successful meeting” and a “fantastic relationship for a long time.”
This meeting is very important for stopping the trade war that has been getting worse for months. Trump started putting new tariffs (taxes) on Chinese goods after he came back to the White House for a second term, and China has hit back by limiting exports of rare earth minerals. Both sides know that a long fight will hurt the global economy and their own growth.
Before the meeting, US officials hinted that Trump would not go ahead with his threat to put an extra 100% tax on Chinese goods. China also showed it might ease its limits on rare earth exports and buy soybeans from the US.
On his flight to South Korea, Trump also told reporters he might reduce some tariffs he put on China earlier this year because of its role in making the drug fentanyl. He said, “I expect to be lowering that because I believe that they’re going to help us with the fentanyl situation,” and added that the relationship with China is “very good.”
The meeting started at 11 a.m. in Busan, which is about 76 km (47 miles) south of Gyeongju, where the main APEC summit is happening. (With input from TNIE)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
