Trump, Xi Signal Trade Thaw After High-Stakes Asia Meeting
US President Donald Trump wrapped up his Asia tour on Thursday after a face-to-face meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping — a crucial step toward easing months of trade tension between the world’s two largest economies.
Following a 100-minute discussion in Busan, South Korea, Trump said Washington and Beijing are “in agreement on many things,” hinting that a trade deal could be signed “pretty soon.”
On Air Force One, Trump called it a “great meeting” with Xi, whom he praised as a “great leader.” He announced that the US will lower tariffs on Chinese goods to 47% and that China will resume bulk soybean purchases. The move comes as both sides seek to defuse friction over fentanyl exports and volatile tariff hikes.
Trump also declared that issues around rare earth minerals—critical for global tech and defense industries—had been resolved. “There’s no roadblock from China anymore,” he said, adding that both nations recognized the danger of further economic escalation.
Xi struck a conciliatory tone, saying the US and China should be “partners and friends,” despite occasional frictions. Both leaders agreed to reciprocal visits in the coming months — Trump to Beijing in April, and Xi to the US soon after.
While optimism is high, analysts warn that rivalry in areas like AI, manufacturing, and critical minerals could still reignite tensions between the two powers.
