Trump has announced plans to visit China in April and host Chinese President Xi Jinping in the United States later this year, outlining a fresh round of high-level engagement between Washington and Beijing.
US President Donald Trump said he plans to visit China in April and host Chinese President Xi Jinping in the United States later this year, signalling renewed high-level engagement between the two countries.
Speaking as he boarded Air Force One while returning to the US after a two-day trip to Davos, Trump said, “We’re gonna make a trip. I’m going in April.” He added that the two leaders are expected to meet twice in 2026 and said Xi would visit the United States “toward the end of the year.”
Trump on ties with Xi Jinping
Trump described his relationship with Xi in positive terms, saying, “I’ve always had a great relationship.” He acknowledged that ties were strained during the COVID-19 period but said relations have since improved. “It was a very strained relationship during COVID, but now it’s an excellent relationship,” he said.
Trade cited as sign of improving relations
The US president pointed to trade as evidence of warming ties, saying China is buying more US farm products. “Look at all the farm products they’re buying now,” Trump said, referring in particular to soybeans. He said the purchases benefit American farmers, adding, “That makes our farmers happy, and that makes me happy.”
Trump also praised Xi personally, calling him “an amazing guy” and speaking positively about the Chinese leader’s wife, indicating an emphasis on personal diplomacy.
Timeline for US-China engagement
Trump’s remarks offer the clearest timeline so far for senior-level US-China engagement during his second term. A visit to China in April would be his first since returning to office, while Xi’s expected visit later in the year would mark the first such visit hosted by Washington during this term.
US-China relations have faced sharp tensions in recent years, particularly over trade, technology and security. Despite this, the two sides have continued commercial cooperation, especially in agriculture and energy. China remains a key market for US farm exports, with soybean purchases often seen as a signal of improving political ties.
China says ties remain broadly stable
Commenting on bilateral relations earlier this week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China-US ties have experienced ups and downs over the past year but have remained broadly stable. He said this stability serves the common interests of both countries and meets the expectations of the international community.
Guo added that cooperation benefits both China and the US, while confrontation harms both sides. He said the two countries should, based on equality, mutual respect and reciprocity, explore the right way for major powers to coexist.
Previous engagements and talks
In November, Trump said he had agreed to visit Beijing in April and invited Xi for a state visit later next year following a phone call between the two leaders. Trump and Xi—who met nearly a month ago in South Korea—discussed issues including trade, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fentanyl and Taiwan, according to Trump and China’s foreign ministry.
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