There was no “big, fat hug” from Xi as Trump promised last month, but the pair had an extended handshake and Trump later offered him several warm pats on the arm as they toured the plaza.
The two leaders exchanged praise in their opening remarks, with Trump hailing their “fantastic relationship.” He said he had “such respect” for Xi and China, praising him as a “great leader.”
“We’ve gotten along when there were difficulties, we worked it out,” Trump said.
Xi said the world had “reached a new crossroads” and that the U.S. and China had a responsibility to work together.
“We should be partners, not rivals, achieve success for one another, prosper together and forge a correct way for major countries of the new era to get along with each other,” he said.
Xi, who pushed back against Trump’s tariffs last year in an escalating tit-for-tat, said the U.S. and China had made progress on trade talks and repeated past comments that “trade wars have no winner,” according to the readout.
He said he welcomed the “generally balanced and positive outcomes” achieved in the latest round of talks, which were held Wednesday in South Korea and led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
“China-U.S. economic and trade ties are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature,” Xi said. “Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice.”
During their public remarks, neither leader mentioned the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which has loomed large over their summit and caused it to be postponed by six weeks. Trump is expected to seek greater assistance from China, which has close ties with Iran, in bringing an end to the conflict.