The talks in Kuala Lumpur were designed to de-escalate tensions after both sides engaged in a new round of tit-for-tat trade restrictions this month, smoothing the passage for Trump and Xi to conclude some kind of deal when they meet on Thursday for the first time during the US president’s second term.
Speaking after the talks, Chinese Trade Representative Li Chenggang said the “US position has been tough” but both sides had reached a “preliminary consensus”.
“We have experienced very intense consultations and engaged in constructive exchanges in exploring solutions and arrangements to address these concerns.”
As the trade negotiations wound up on Sunday, Trump told reporters in Malaysia: “I think we’re going to have a deal with China”.
Trump used his first stop on his five-day tour of Asia to ink trade and critical minerals pacts with Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia ahead of his meeting with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.
After initially hitting Southeast Asia with some of the highest tariffs in his global trade war, triggering concerns from allied partners that it would push the region towards China, Trump offered a message of support.
“My message to the nations of Southeast Asia is that the United States is with you 100 per cent and we intend to be a strong partner and friend for many generations to come,” Trump said in an address to the summit.
Trump’s five-day tour of Asia will see him depart Malaysia for Japan on Monday to meet with new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, before proceeding on to South Korea to meet with President Lee Jae Myung, and then Xi.
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