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At a meeting aimed at easing months of trade tensions with United States President Donald Trump, China’s Xi Jinping Thursday told his counterpart that it was normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.
“It feels very warm seeing you again. Since your re-election, we have spoken on the phone thrice, exchanged several letters and stayed in close contact. Given our national condition, we don’t see eye to eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies in the world to have friction now and then,” the Chinese President said via a translator as the two leaders sat with their delegations to begin trade talks.
His comments come days after trade negotiators for both countries reached a “fundamental consensus on addressing each other’s primary concerns”, Xi said.
“I am willing to continue working with President Trump to lay a solid foundation for China-US relations,” he added.
Xi reiterated his call for renewed cooperation between the two countries, urging them to be “partners and friends.” He said, “In the face of winds, waves and challenges, you and I at the helm of China-US relations should stay on the right course and steadily sail forward the giant ship of China-US relations. I always say China’s development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again. Our two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together.”
“I have stated in public many times that China and the US should be partners and friends. This is what history taught us and reality demands,” Xi added.
The comments were made during Trump’s first face-to-face meeting with Xi at a South Korean air base on Thursday, since he returned to the White House in January. The talks were held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where both leaders sounded optimistic about easing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
“We are going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt. But he is a very tough negotiator,” Trump said as he shook hands with Xi, who showed little emotion, news agency Reuters reported.
Trump said he “could sign trade deal today”, and that the leaders “have already agreed to a lot of things,” as reported by Reuters.
According to the Associated Pressboth leaders are seeking to prevent further economic fallout from their renewed trade war.
The trade war, likely to upend the global economy, reignited this month after Beijing proposed an expansion of curbs on exports of rare-earth minerals vital for high-tech applications, according to reports.
Trump had then vowed to retaliate with additional 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese exports, along with other steps including potential curbs on exports to China made with US software, Reuters reported.
