Experts say the meeting between Trump and his Chinese counterpart may be a chance to reset their rocky relationship.
U. S. President Donald Trump says the United States is « very close » to a deal with China on tariffs, as he heads to the G-20 summit for highly anticipated talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at defusing long-running trade tensions.
Trump added Thursday that « I don’t know if I want to do it, » and that « I like the deal we have now, » in remarks to reporters at the White House prior to departing for this week’s summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
« What we have right now is billions and billions of dollars coming into the United States in the form of tariffs or taxes. So I don’t know. But I will tell you that I think China wants to make a deal. I’m open to making a deal, » he said.
Expectations are high for the Trump-Xi meeting on the sidelines of G-20, with experts and U. S. officials looking at the talks as a chance to reset the rocky relationship.
« We’ve got to strive to make sure we avoid miscalculation. That’s why I think we should have more dialogue, not less. Even if it’s unproductive at times, we want to stay in touch at high levels, » said former U. S. Ambassador to China Winston Lord, in a recent interview with VOA.
On the issue of trade, U. S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this week singled out China’s policies on automobile tariffs.
« I will examine all available tools to equalize the tariffs applied to automobiles, » said Lighthizer who will be attending the G-20.
