China's Xi brazen attempts to flatter Trump amid high-stakes negotiations on tariffs and TikTok
Trump called Xi 'a great leader of a great country' shortly after the summit meeting
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a match of flattery and praise on Thursday morning as they met for the first time since 2019.
The leaders of the two largest world economies met for one hour and 40 minutes in South Korea, one stop on Trump's tour of Asian nations seeking to settle trade disputes. During the televised meeting, Xi said "it feels warm" to see Trump even as the countries have "frictions now and then." Since retaking office, Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Chinese imports, blamed China for the American opioid crisis, accused China of supporting Iran-backed Houthi forces and indirectly sanctioned China via its 500% tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil and other exports.
"In the face of winds, waves and challenges, you and I at the helm of China and U.S. relations should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations," Xi told Trump. "I always believe that 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."
"Over the years, I have stated in public many times that China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality demands," Xi added.
"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the U.S. can jointly shoulder our responsibilities as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world. I look forward to exchanging views with you on questions important for our two countries and the world."
Shortly after the summit ended, the White House posted a video clip on X in which Trump calls Xi "a great leader of a great country."
"I think we’re going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, and it is an honor to have you with us,” he said.
Before meeting with Chinese leadership, Trump had already enjoyed several days of being showered with gold-plated gifts from other heads of state.
South Korea bestowed on Trump a gold medal representing the Grand Order of the Mugunghwa and six ancient Silla Dynasty gold crowns. The lunch menu during the meeting included American beef and a golden brownie, and a band played "YMCA" upon his arrival.
In Japan, Trump was given a gold-leaf golf ball and a golf bag signed by Japanese Master champion Hideki Matsuyama. A gold-tinted Ford F-150 pickup truck was also situated outside the meeting place, and the newly elected conservative prime minister Sanae Takaichi wore a heavy assortment of gold pieces.
Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs since returning to the White House for a second term combined with China’s retaliatory limits on exports of rare earth elements have given the meeting newfound urgency. There is a mutual recognition that neither side wants to risk blowing up the world economy in ways that could jeopardize their own country’s fortunes., according to The Associated Press.
When the two were seated on Thursday morning, Xi read prepared remarks that stressed a willingness to work together despite differences.
“Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other,” he said through a translator. “It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.”
There was a slight difference in translation as China’s Xinhua News Agency reported Xi as telling Trump that having some differences is inevitable.
In the days leading up to the meeting, U.S. officials have signaled that Trump does not intend to make good on a recent threat to impose an additional 100% import tax on Chinese goods — and China has shown signs it is willing to relax its export controls on rare earths and also buy soybeans from America.
Officials from both countries met earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur to lay the groundwork for their leaders. Afterward, China’s top trade negotiator Li Chenggang said they had reached a “preliminary consensus,” a statement affirmed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who said there was “ a very successful framework.”
Trump told reporters while flying to South Korea aboard Air Force One that he may reduce tariffs that he placed on China earlier this year related to its role in making fentanyl.
“I expect to be lowering that because I believe that they’re going to help us with the fentanyl situation,” Trump said, later adding, “The relationship with China is very good."