The Latest: Trump and China’s Xi meet face-to-face to try to solve months of trade tensions

President Donald Trump is meeting face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the final day of Trump s trip to Asia a chance for the leaders of the world s two largest economies to stabilize relations after months of turmoil over arrangement issues 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 peril blowing up the world financial sector in approaches that could jeopardize their own country s fortunes Aboard Air Force One on his way to South Korea Trump explained reporters 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 declared later adding The relationship with China is very good The meeting is in Busan South Korea a port city about kilometers miles south from Gyeongju the main venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Here s the latest Trump-Xi meeting is underway The two leaders welcomed the press in for brief introductory remarks but now are talking behind closed doors flanked by their top personnel Journalists left the meeting room shortly after a m local time in Busan Trump mentioned he and Xi could meet for as long as three hours The official White House schedule however has the meeting running just under two hours Xi says US and China should be partners and friends despite frictions The Chinese leader spoke for longer than Trump in his opening remarks saying it feels very warm seeing you again because it s been various years We do not unfailingly see eye to eye with each other Xi stated through a translator adding that it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then However he revealed China and the U S are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together Trump and Xi convene their bilateral meeting Shortly after their handshake Trump and Xi moved to a room to hold their talks It s an honor to be with a friend of mine Trump revealed of Xi He commented the two will be having particular discussions but I think we ve already agreed to a lot of things Accompanying Trump were transaction representative Jamieson Greer Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Secretary of State Marco Rubio Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and David Perdue the U S ambassador to China Source