President Donald Trump is signaling the significance of his upcoming talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, repeatedly calling it a “big meeting.”
“That’s a big meeting, and I think it’s going to work out very well,” Trump said from Tokyo. The leaders are set to meet on Thursday in South Korea, during the APEC summit.
The significance is clear: the meeting comes just as a new trade war has erupted. A 100% US tariff threat is on the table, following China’s move to control rare earth exports.
This new round of hostilities, which also includes US port fees and Chinese countermeasures, has broken a recent truce.
Trump maintained his optimistic stance, calling the meeting “fantastic” and “great for everybody.”
His Asia trip has been focused on this trade message. While in Japan, he met with PM Sanae Takaichi, mingled with business leaders, and spoke to US troops, all actions designed to highlight US influence ahead of the Xi talks.