Donald Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States in two weeks, as tensions over tariffs, trade and technology remain high, reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States in two weeks, without providing a specific date, venue or agenda for the expected meeting.
Trump made the announcement while addressing a Republican campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Friday.
“As an example, in two weeks, President Xi of China’s coming,” Trump said.
Trump referred to the expected visit while discussing a proposed military-ballroom complex at the White House, saying he wished the facility was already available to host the Chinese leader.
The President said the existing East Room was too small for major official events and visiting delegations.
“You know, we have a tiny little room right now. It’s been that way for years. It’s called East Room, and it seats 88 people,” he said.
Trump said the proposed ballroom would be completed in about a year and would be among the largest and most impressive facilities of its kind.
“I wish we had a ballroom, but in a very short period of time, in a year from now, you’ll have one of the greatest anywhere in the world,” he said.
Trump also discussed security features planned for the complex, including military capabilities designed to protect against drones and missiles, as well as bulletproof glass.
He said the military and previous presidents had wanted such a facility for decades and thanked the US Supreme Court and Chief Justice for allowing the project to proceed.
“We have a ruling that it’s, proceed. When they say proceed, I think that’s a good thing,” Trump said.
The President claimed construction was progressing ahead of schedule and below budget, but did not provide a cost estimate during his remarks.
Trump’s comments about Xi came as he defended his administration’s tariff policies and argued that tariffs were encouraging international companies to establish manufacturing operations in the United States.
“We imposed historic tariffs on foreign goods,” Trump said, claiming the measures were generating substantial revenue.
He said foreign manufacturers faced a choice between paying duties on products shipped to the US or moving production to the country.
“Come over here and build your cars in the United States,” Trump said, describing the message he had delivered to foreign carmakers.
Trump also claimed that $19.2 trillion was being invested in the United States and pointed to what he described as a surge in factory construction. No source for the figure was provided in the remarks.
“It’s my all-time favourite word. I love tariffs. I love the word. It’s made us rich as hell,” Trump said.
The announcement of Xi’s expected visit comes against the backdrop of strained US-China relations over tariffs, technology restrictions, semiconductor exports, market access and national security.
