Trump Rates Xi Meeting ’12 Out of 10′, Announces Tariff Cuts

During a recent meeting in Busan, South Korea, President Donald Trump rated his discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as “a 12 out of 10,” indicating a highly successful engagement. The nearly two-hour meeting marked a significant moment in U.S.-China relations as the leaders claimed to have reached agreements on multiple key issues, including tariffs and trade practices.

Key Outcomes from U.S.-China Discussions

Trump described the meeting as “friendly” and confirmed that he and Xi “agreed to almost everything.” Among the crucial decisions made, tariffs on Chinese exports were reduced from 57% to 47%. Trump attributed this reduction to Xi’s commitment to combat the flow of fentanyl from China, stating, “I believe he’s going to work very hard to stop the death that’s coming in.”

In a move aimed at alleviating pressure on American farmers, China will resume its purchases of U.S. soybeans, which had been halted recently. Additionally, a previous Chinese decision to restrict exports of rare earth minerals will be paused for one year, which Trump characterized as a significant breakthrough. In return, the U.S. plans to ease some of its own export restrictions.

Details regarding the meeting have not yet been fully disclosed by the White House. However, Trump mentioned plans for a follow-up meeting in April 2024, when he intends to visit China. Xi is also expected to visit the U.S. after that.

Statements and Future Relations

Following the meeting, Xi issued a statement emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the U.S. and China. He remarked that both nations should avoid getting “caught in a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation.” This sentiment reflects a shared understanding of the complexities within their relationship, acknowledging that occasional “frictions” are normal.

During their discussions, the leaders touched upon various global challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Trump noted that China has been purchasing Russian oil, he indicated this topic was not extensively covered. The status of Taiwan, a sensitive issue for both countries, was also reportedly not addressed. Trump has previously shied away from discussing Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province.

Trump did hint at potential discussions regarding the popular social media platform TikTok but did not elaborate further. On the flight back to Washington, he posted on his platform, Truth Social, that China agreed to purchase American energy, specifically mentioning oil and gas from Alaska. He stated that discussions would occur among energy teams to explore the feasibility of such an energy deal.

This meeting marked the first in-person encounter between Trump and Xi in six years, highlighting a thaw in relations that had been strained in recent times. Trump expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-China relations, calling Xi a “great leader of a great country.” Both leaders appear to be positioning themselves for continued dialogue and collaboration on pressing global issues.