Wrapping up a high-stakes visit to China, United States President Donald Trump declared he has secured fantastic trade deals with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This declaration signals a potential de-escalation in the economic friction between the world’s two largest economies.
Speaking to reporters on Friday while touring the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, Trump characterized the two-day summit as an “incredible visit” that would bring tangible benefits to American workers and farmers.
While the formal details of the trade deals agreed by Trump and Xi are still being finalized by trade officials, the U.S President highlighted several major wins for his economy.
According to Trump, the trade deals with Xi include a massive commitment from Beijing to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, a move aimed at narrowing the persistent trade deficit.
Trump called the trip an “incredible visit” and said “A lot of good has come of it.”
Beyond trade, Trump said the two leaders “feel very similar on Iran,” and noted that both countries want the Strait of Hormuz — a key chokepoint that 20% of the world’s oil usually travels through — to be reopened.
Trump said he and Xi settled “a lot of different problems” that others would have struggled to resolve, and he lavished praise on the U.S.-China relationship.
“We did discuss Iran,” Trump said, saying he and Xi share similar feelings about how they wish for the conflict to end.
“We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon; we want the straits open,” he added in a reference to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route whose effective shutdown by Iran has disrupted global energy supplies.
Trump also said Xi is expected to visit the U.S. in September.
“The relationship is a very strong one, and we’ve really done some wonderful things,” the U.S. president said.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass had reported that the two presidents previously met in a closed-door session on Thursday that lasted roughly two hours and 15 minutes, covering topics like trade, Iran, and Taiwan. Mr. Trump characterized that meeting as “great.”
After the meeting, Trump told Fox News on Thursday that Xi said he’s not going to give any military equipment to Iran, which the U.S. president called a “big statement.”
However, it remains to be seen if Xi follows through.
Trump also told Fox News on Thursday that China had agreed to buy American oil, soybeans, and Boeing jets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on CNBC that the U.S. and China have also discussed forming a “Board of Trade” and “Board of Investment” to oversee commerce between the two countries.
Also, a report by the Chinese state media stated that during Thursday’s meeting, Xi warned Trump of possible “clashes and even conflicts.”
Taiwan is central to China’s interests, as it vows to retake control of the island and refuses to rule out using military force to accomplish that goal. The U.S. has opposed any unilateral change to Taiwan’s status and has provided billions in military support to the island.
It also remains to be seen whether China and the U.S are on the same side as regards Taiwan.
