In a significant development for international diplomacy, US President Donald Trump has publicly confirmed his plans to travel to Beijing in April, while enthusiastically highlighting the robust personal relationship he shares with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Warm Exchanges and a Planned Visit
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, President Trump reflected on his recent diplomatic outreach. He expressed considerable optimism about future collaboration with China, directly linking it to his rapport with its leader. "I think we will be pleasantly surprised by the actions of President Xi. I have a great relationship with him. I like him. He likes me. I will be going there in April," Trump stated emphatically.
This announcement followed a detailed post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, where he described a recent telephone conversation with President Xi as "very good." Trump revealed that it was during this call that the Chinese President extended the invitation for the April visit, which he promptly accepted. In a gesture of diplomatic reciprocity, Trump has also invited Xi for a State Visit to the United States later in the year.
Broadening Asian Diplomacy and Key Discussions
The US President's diplomatic efforts are not limited to China. He also recently held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, reinforcing close US-Japan ties. Praising the new Japanese leader, Trump said, "I just came back from Japan, and we have a great relationship, the new Prime Minister and myself. She’s very smart, she’s very strong, and she’s going to be a great leader."
The phone conversation between Trump and Xi covered a wide spectrum of critical global issues. Officials briefed on the discussion confirmed that the leaders talked about:
- Bilateral trade ties
- Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine
- Cooperation on fentanyl controls
- Trade in soybeans and other agricultural products
Both Washington and Beijing have indicated that the call was aimed at maintaining the positive momentum generated from their meeting in South Korea last month and ensuring stability in the high-level bilateral dialogue.
A Foundation for Future Cooperation
Reaffirming his confidence in the relationship, Trump wrote in his social media post, "Our relationship with China is extremely strong!" He added that both sides have made significant progress in keeping their agreements current, allowing them to now focus on the bigger picture. A key takeaway from their exchange was the mutual agreement on the importance of frequent communication.
This will not be President Trump's first state visit to Beijing; he previously travelled there in November 2017 during his first term. Those discussions were largely centered on resolving trade tensions, addressing North Korea's missile programme, and strengthening broader cooperation, setting a precedent for the upcoming engagement.
