Things are heating up again between the U.S. and China—but not necessarily in a good way. Former U.S. President Donald Trump made it clear this week that he’s not looking for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping right now. Still, he left the door open, hinting he might visit China—if Xi’s invitation still stands.
“I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
That pretty much sums it up: Trump’s not eager, but he’s not entirely out either.
Could a Meeting Still Happen?
According to people familiar with the discussions, both sides have been talking quietly about a possible meeting later this year. If it happens, it could take place during Trump’s expected trip to Asia—possibly around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, set for late October.
This would be the first time Trump and Xi meet face-to-face since Trump’s return to office. And it’s happening at a time when U.S.-China tensions are running high, especially over trade and security issues.
Trade Talks Ongoing
Meanwhile, trade teams from both countries are meeting in Stockholm this week for a third round of talks. Analysts think this could help lay the groundwork for a potential leaders’ summit in the fall—assuming things don’t go south before then.
If new tariffs or export bans pop up, though, any chance of a Trump-Xi meeting could be tossed out the window.
Why It Matters
Even though no official summit is planned, any direct interaction between Trump and Xi would be big news. With ongoing tensions over tech, trade, and Taiwan, the global community is watching closely. Whether this leads to real progress or just more political theater remains to be seen.
For now, all eyes are on the Stockholm trade talks and the APEC summit in October. We’ll be keeping a close watch.