U.S. President Donald Trump signaled on Tuesday that he may visit China later this year but emphasized it would only be at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, an invitation he said has already been extended. Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated, “I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!”
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that aides to both leaders have explored the possibility of a Trump-Xi meeting during Trump’s planned trip to Asia later in 2025. If confirmed, this would mark the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Trump’s second term began, occurring against a backdrop of heightened U.S.-China tensions over trade and security issues.
Discussions have reportedly included a potential Trump stopover aligned with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for late October in South Korea or side meetings around the October 30–November 1 timeframe.
The potential summit comes as the third round of U.S.-China trade talks is underway in Stockholm, a dialogue analysts believe could shape the agenda for any upcoming high-level meeting. However, ongoing disputes over tariffs and export controls remain significant obstacles that could affect diplomatic progress.
A successful meeting could signal a thaw in relations between Washington and Beijing, though analysts caution that any renewed tariff escalations could quickly derail the talks. Both sides appear to be weighing strategic benefits carefully, with the outcome likely to influence broader U.S.-China relations heading into 2026.
This possible visit underscores the enduring global impact of U.S.-China diplomacy, as markets and policymakers watch closely for signs of improved cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.