Why Chinese leader Xi Jinping may want to accept Donald Trump’s invitation to visit US
The US president is pushing for a visit and it may be in Beijing’s interests, but considerable hurdles will need to be cleared first
Xi is fairly likely to visit because it is in Beijing’s interests to develop a personal bond with Trump, who has made the offer twice in the space of just over a month, according to Chinese political observers.
On taking office, Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on all Chinese goods, but when asked by reporters on board Air Force One if he would reach a new trade deal, he replied “it’s possible, it’s possible”.
“But remember, he loves China, and I love the USA. So, you know, right there, there’s a little bit of competitiveness. But the relationship I have with President Xi is, I would say, a great one,” Trump added, and claimed he had secured a “great trade deal” during his first presidency.
He said he planned to welcome the French and British leaders, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, to Washington “soon”, then added: “We’ll have, ultimately, President Xi.”
But the US leader did not provide a timetable for a possible visit or say if or when the pair would speak directly.