Trump to host Xi at Florida resort next month
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump plans to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at a two-day summit next month, media reports say, as his administration seeks to smooth relations with the world’s second-largest economy.
The meeting was tentatively scheduled for April 6 and 7 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, online media outlet Axios reported on Monday, citing officials familiar with the plans.
CNN reported the planned summit, citing an unnamed ad ministration official. It said the plan was tentative and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was expected to finalise plans during a trip this week to Asia, which includes a stop in China.
Press secretary Sean Spicer said on Monday that the White House was preparing for a meeting between the two leaders but was not ready to announce a date.
“Planning is ongoing for a visit between President Trump and President Xi at a date to be determined,” Spicer said, saying any meeting would cover North Korea and other issues.
In previewing Tillerson’s Asia visit, Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton said it would “be paving the way for future highlevel meetings between our two presidents.”
China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Thornton said the US was “pursuing a results-oriented relationship with China; one that benefits the American people and one that remains faithful to our allies and presses China to abide by international rules and norms”.