Trump lays out top priorities ahead of Xi meeting
Photo: US and Chinese leaders — Donald Trump and Xi Jinping (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump said he will prioritize trade talks during his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, while downplaying the importance of Iran-related issues, according to Bloomberg.
“We’re going to be talking to President Xi about a lot of things. I would say, more than anything, trade,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday at the White House as he was departing for the long-anticipated meeting in Beijing.
He also added that he has many topics to discuss with the Chinese leader overall.
“I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump added, stressing that either Tehran will reach a deal, or Iran will be destroyed.
Bloomberg reminds that the US president is seeking to conclude business agreements and agree on the details of a new trade deal to manage relations between the world’s two largest economies during his meeting with Xi.
“The two sides are expected to discuss an extension of the trade truce they reached last fall,” Bloomberg writes.
China is the main buyer of Iranian oil, so Beijing has called for the rapid reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed as the US blocks Iranian ports and Tehran restricts the flow of other international shipments.
“The war has triggered a global energy crisis with world fuel reserves being drawn down,” the article says.
Bloomberg also notes that Trump is under pressure to end the war, and earlier the US president said he would pressure Xi regarding Beijing’s approach to Iran. But on Tuesday, Trump praised his relationship with Xi.
“My relationship with President Xi is a fantastic one. We’ve always gotten along and we’re doing very well with China, and working with China has been very good, so we look forward to it,” Trump said.
As is known, the meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping is scheduled for May 13–15. The sides are expected to continue the trade agreement reached last year.
It was expected that significant attention would also be given to Iran. For example, RBC-Ukraine reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hopes China will pressure Tehran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, as this is having a strong negative impact on U.S. domestic politics and the global economy overall.
