The US and Chinese presidents met in the South Korean city of Busan. This is the first personal meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping since the start of the US president's second term.
Trump stated on camera that he expects a "very productive meeting."
Xi Jinping, in turn, noted that in the nine months since Trump took office, they have spoken on the phone and corresponded three times. "It is natural for two leading international economies to have contacts from time to time," Xi Jinping added.
He also added that the US and China "should be friends and partners." "This is what history has taught us and what reality demands," he emphasized.
The leaders of the two countries then moved on to a closed-door meeting. The American side includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, Commerce Secretary Howard Latnick, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and US Ambassador to China David Perdue.
The Chinese delegation includes Foreign Minister Wang Yi, his deputy Ma Chaoxue, Vice Premier He Lifen, Chief of Staff Tsai Qi, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Zheng Shanzhen.
