Trump and Xi Statements at Busan Summit
By Reuters | 30 Oct, 2025

The Chinese leader offered a veiled criticism of Trump's vision of US gain at expense of other nations.

Trump and China's Xi exchange praise as they start a meeting in South Korea

"But President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time."

"Under our joint guidance, China-West relations have remained stable on the whole. Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then."

"I always believe that China's development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again. Our two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together."

The meeting was the first between the leaders since Trump returned to office in January. He has repeatedly expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during the meeting, taking place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

As they sat down with their delegations to begin talks, Xi told Trump via a translator it was normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then. A few days ago, trade negotiators for both countries reached a "fundamental consensus on addressing each other's primary concerns," Xi said. "I am willing to continue working with President Trump to lay a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations," he added.

But with both countries increasingly willing to play hardball over areas of economic and geopolitical competition, many questions remain about how long any trade détente may last. The trade war reignited this month after Beijing proposed dramatically expanding curbs on exports of rare-earth minerals vital for high-tech applications, a sector China dominates.

Trump vowed to retaliate with additional 100% tariffs on Chinese exports, and with other steps including potential curbs on exports to China made with U.S. software - moves that could have upended the global economy.