Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: President Donald Trump said he expected a great meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming visit to China, as he projected confidence in US-China ties despite mounting global tensions over Iran, trade and energy security. Speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One as he left the White House for his China trip, Trump repeatedly praised Xi and described the relationship between the world’s two largest economies as strong and stable.
“My relationship with President Xi is a fantastic one,” Trump said. “We’ve always gotten along and we’re doing very well with China and working with China’s been very good.”
The President said both sides were looking forward to the summit and suggested the discussions would focus heavily on trade and long-term strategic ties. “I think more than anything else since we have massive relationships with China, we’re the two superpowers,” Trump said. “We have a lot of things to discuss.”
Trump added that trade would likely dominate the talks. “I would say more than anything else will be trades,” he said.
Trump also revealed that Xi is expected to visit the United States later this year. “President Xi will be coming here toward the end of the year,” Trump said. “That’ll be exciting too.” Trump suggested Xi could potentially help in addressing the Iran crisis, although he insisted Washington did not require outside support.
“Whatever he can do to help with it,” Trump said when asked whether Xi could contribute to a deal with Tehran. At the same time, he maintained that the US remained fully in control of the situation involving Iran.
