President-elect Trump reportedly plans an early visit to China to mend fences with Xi Jinping following earlier threats of steep tariffs.
According to the Wall Street Journal, President-elect Donald Trump is considering a trip to China within his first 100 days in office to foster improved relations with President Xi Jinping amidst looming trade war anxieties. This visit aims to strengthen ties in the face of escalating geopolitical tensions, including the Taiwan issue and Trump’s previous pronouncements of imposing tariffs on Chinese goods.
While sources familiar with the matter confirmed Trump’s interest, a final decision remains pending. A recent phone conversation between Trump and Xi covered trade, Taiwan, and TikTok’s precarious position in the US, but whether the China visit was discussed remains unconfirmed. The WSJ reports that both leaders delegated further discussions about an in-person meeting to their respective teams.
Beyond China, Trump has also shown interest in visiting India, though sources indicate immediate priorities will likely focus on domestic challenges, such as border issues and California wildfires.
Trump’s previous visit to Beijing occurred late in 2017, over nine months into his first term. His presidency was marked by strained relations with China, including tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, labeling China a currency manipulator, and imposing restrictions on Chinese tech companies like Huawei and ZTE, citing national security concerns.
During his campaign, Trump proposed a 60% tariff on Chinese imports. In response to this potential increase, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen cautioned against such measures, suggesting potential negative consequences for American consumers and asserting China’s resilience to such economic shocks.