(U.S., 23rd) U.S. President Trump said he may soon make a milestone visit to China to ease the escalating trade and security tensions between China and the United States.
Reuters reported that on Tuesday (July 22), Trump told the media in the White House Oval Office: "President Xi has invited me to visit China, and we may visit there before long."
He said: "Some time later, but not too far in the future. Many people have extended invitations to me, and we will make a decision very soon."
Two people familiar with the matter revealed that aides to both Trump and Xi have been discussing the possibility of Trump meeting with Xi later this year during his visit to Asia.
They said that although a Trump-Xi meeting has yet to be finalized, the discussions include the possibility that Trump may visit China in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, or arrange a meeting between the two during the summit.
The APEC summit will be held in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 30 to November 1.
Another possible itinerary is Trump attending the 80th anniversary commemoration of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing on September 3. Russian President Putin is also planning to attend.
Meetings between Trump and Xi or Putin would be Trump's first face-to-face meeting with these two leaders since he began his second term on January 20. Both the White House and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on Reuters' report.
Reuters reported that on Tuesday (July 22), Trump told the media in the White House Oval Office: "President Xi has invited me to visit China, and we may visit there before long."
He said: "Some time later, but not too far in the future. Many people have extended invitations to me, and we will make a decision very soon."
Two people familiar with the matter revealed that aides to both Trump and Xi have been discussing the possibility of Trump meeting with Xi later this year during his visit to Asia.
They said that although a Trump-Xi meeting has yet to be finalized, the discussions include the possibility that Trump may visit China in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, or arrange a meeting between the two during the summit.
The APEC summit will be held in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 30 to November 1.
Another possible itinerary is Trump attending the 80th anniversary commemoration of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing on September 3. Russian President Putin is also planning to attend.
Meetings between Trump and Xi or Putin would be Trump's first face-to-face meeting with these two leaders since he began his second term on January 20. Both the White House and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on Reuters' report.