U.S. President Donald Trump met face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in an attempt to resolve the ongoing trade disputes between the two sides.
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U.S.PresidentDonaldTrumponThursdaymetface-to-facewithChineseleaderXiJinpinginBusan,SouthKorea–justhoursafterTrumphintedonlineatpotentialshiftsinU.S.defenseandtradepolicy.
ThemeetingmarkedthefinalstopofTrump’sAsiatrip,whichalsoincludedstopsinMalaysiaandJapan,andfocusedoncoolingtheeconomicstandoffbetweenWashingtonandBeijing.
SincereturningtotheWhiteHouseinJanuary,TrumphasleviedmajortariffsonChineseimports–amovethatpromptedBeijingtotightenitscontroloverexportsofrareearthelements.Bothleaderssignaledinterestinreducingtensionstoavoidfurthershockstotheglobaleconomy.
AheadofThursday’ssummit,U.S.andChineseaidessignaledthediscussionwouldcenterontariffs,advancedtechnologyexports,andsupplychaincompetition–keystickingpointsthathavelongdefinedtherelationshipbetweenthetwopowers.Trumptoldreportershebelievedthetwosidescouldreachcommonground.
