U.S. President Donald Trump says he is not planning a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but may still visit China — only if invited by Xi.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Monday, Trump responded to media reports claiming he was trying to arrange a high-level meeting.
“The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a ‘Summit’ with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything!” Trump wrote.
“I may go to China, but only at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended.”
This statement came shortly after Reuters reported that Trump’s aides were discussing the possibility of a meeting with Xi during a trip to Asia later this year. The two leaders could meet during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, set to take place from October 30 to November 1.
If it happens, it would be the first in-person meeting between Trump and Xi since 2019, when they spoke on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.
At the same time, the U.S. and China are involved in high-stakes trade negotiations, trying to prevent the collapse of a fragile 90-day tariff truce that expires on August 12. These talks are aimed at reducing trade tensions that have grown since Trump’s administration reintroduced tariffs on Chinese goods earlier this year.
On Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Stockholm, Sweden, to begin two days of discussions. Their goal is to reach a deal or extend the truce.
Bessent told Bloomberg TV last week that relations with China are in a “very good place” and that the August deadline could be extended in 90-day intervals if needed.
These diplomatic moves come just days after Trump struck a major trade deal with the European Union, agreeing to 15% tariffs and boosting energy and military exports from the U.S.
Still, analysts warn that Trump’s protectionist policies could continue to push countries away from U.S. trade dependence, with uncertainty over future tariffs affecting global markets.
Amid tense trade talks and global economic shifts, Trump denies pushing for a China summit—but hints at a surprise visit. With the tariff truce set to expire and the APEC summit just months away, will world powers clash or cooperate?
