Washington– Washington (AFP) – President Donald Trump He said on Monday that the United States has “great respect” for Beijing and that he will reach a “wonderful agreement” with Chinese President Xi Jinping when The two leaders meet soon.
Trump’s statements come after Beijing angered him Expanding export controls on rare earth products Which are used in smartphones, fighter planes, electric vehicles, etc. Trump spoke while hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White Housecelebrating an agreement with a US ally as a potential counterpoint to China’s near-monopoly on processing those important minerals.
“I think we’re going to end up with a great deal with China,” Trump said. “It will be a great trade deal. It will be great for both countries, and it will be great for the whole world.”
When asked about China’s influenceTrump said that Beijing “threatened us with rare earths, and I threatened them with tariffs.” But he insisted that his good relationship with Xi meant they would reach a “very fair agreement.”
All eyes are on a possible meeting between Trump and Xi because any failure to reach an agreement not only increases the risk of destabilization Relations between the two superpowers But also Global economy.
Trump confirmed that he will meet with Xi this month on the sidelines of the summit Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation The summit, which includes 21 economies. Beijing has not announced plans for Xi to make the trip to South Korea, but it is not unusual for such details to emerge as the travel date approaches.
The president has Threatened to impose new 100% tariffs. On China in response to Beijing’s expanded rules on rare earth products. He said on Monday that he had already achieved results.
“Now, they treat us with great respect,” Trump said. “Now, we’ll see what happens. I said, if we don’t make a deal, I’ll put in an additional 100% on November 1. I think we’ll make a deal.”
Since returning to the White House, Trump has imposed an additional 30% tax. Comprehensive tariffs on China. Trump said the overall rate on Chinese goods is about 55% to 57%, and that the country has paid the United States “hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of tariffs.”
But Beijing did He indicated that he would play hardball.
“Threatening to impose high tariffs is not the right way to deal with China,” Lin Jian, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, said last week in response to Trump’s new tariff threat.
When asked whether 100% tariffs could continue and how they might impact the economy, Trump told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo last week that they were “not sustainable.”
In the meeting with Albanese, Trump said he had other options to use against China: “They can’t get parts for their planes. We make their planes.”
However, he said he would prefer an agreement. “I want to be good to China,” Trump said. “I love my relationship with President Xi.”
Trump also dismissed concerns that Beijing may soon attack the self-ruled island of Taiwan. He said this is because the United States is far superior in military power.
“It’s not even close,” Trump said. “We have the best equipment. We have the best of everything, and no one’s going to mess with that.”
The United States is obligated under its laws to provide military support to Taiwan, which separated from China in 1949 during a civil war. Beijing claims sovereignty over the island and pledges to seize it by force if necessary to achieve what it says is “the unification of the motherland.”
Trump admitted that Taiwan was the “apple of his eye” for Xi but said: “I don’t see anything happening. We have a very good trade relationship.”
When asked if he could give in to pressure from Beijing not to support Taiwan independence in exchange for a deal, Trump said: “Well, I won’t talk about that.”
Meanwhile, Li Chenggang was removed from the position of China’s chief trade negotiator after co-leading the last four rounds of talks with the United States. In a routine announcement of dismissals and appointments, Beijing said on Monday that Li had been removed from his post as China’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organization. No reason was given.
He was replaced by Lee Yong-jae, deputy international trade representative, who recently held trade talks with Ecuador.
This announcement coincided with the recent criticism directed at Li Qinggang by Treasury Secretary Scott Besent. At a news conference last week, Besant expressed his rare public displeasure, saying that Lee “appeared here with very inflammatory language on August 28,” that he was “out of line” and was “extremely disrespectful.”
“He showed up uninvited in Washington and said, quote, that China would cause global chaos if shipping duties were imposed at ports,” Besant said, referring to the US plan to impose duties. Port duties on ships connected to China.
Late last week, Chinese Vice Premier He Feng held a video call with Besant and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. China’s official Xinhua news agency reported that the two sides had a “frank, in-depth and constructive exchange” and agreed to hold a new round of trade talks as soon as possible.
Besant said last week that he and his Chinese counterpart are likely to meet in Malaysia soon to prepare for the leaders’ summit.