Trump Hints At Possible Xi Visit Amid US-China Trade Rift Deepens Over Tariffs, Fentanyl

US President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that Chinese President Xi Jinping might visit the United States “in the not-too-distant future” to hold discussions, as economic tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

Since assuming office in January, Trump has imposed a 20% tariff on all imports from China, citing Beijing’s inability to stem the shipment of chemicals used in making fentanyl, a leading cause of US drug overdose deaths. The action has escalated trade tensions, with China resisting the tariffs vigorously and claiming it has taken significant efforts to crack down on illicit drug manufacture. Beijing has also reacted with a limited number of retaliatory actions.

Although tensions continue regarding tariffs, Taiwan, and other geopolitics, Trump has more recently shown enthusiasm for keeping good terms with Xi. Still, no obvious signals have emerged about an improvement in the differences between them.

“He’ll be coming,” Trump said while attending a board meeting at Washington’s John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, but did not offer precise information about the potential visit of Xi.

The White House has actually justified the tariffs, saying that they are critical to balance foreign trade and earn revenue for the government. Trump has mostly shunned investor’s worries that those actions would have the effect of slowing down the economy and propelling inflation.

The White House did not offer additional commentary on Trump’s statement, and the Chinese embassy in Washington also has not given any response yet to the rumored visit of Xi.

With tensions still running high, a possible encounter between Trump and Xi could represent a turning point in US-China relations, establishing whether the two economic powers will be able to reach common ground or stay ensnared in an escalating trade war.