Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised his encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a nighttime meeting in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday night, declaring it a great success.
Meeting Ended in Busan
The Trump‑Xi meeting concluded in the Korean city of Busan after an overnight discussion at a military aviation base. Xinhua reported the talk lasted one hour and forty minutes. Trump immediately departed South Korea following the meeting.
Trump Highlights Success
Trump described the encounter as a “great success” and a “great honor.” The conversation focused mainly on trade cooperation between the United States and China.
Focus on Ukraine Cooperation
During the exchange, Trump stated that the United States and China would jointly work to end the war in Ukraine. He noted that Washington would push China to stop buying Russian oil, while acknowledging that sometimes it is necessary to allow conflicts to play out. Trump rated the meeting a “12” on a scale of 1 to 10.
Trade and Energy Discussions
Washington seeks guarantees of access to China’s rare‑earth metals, while China calls for lowered tariffs, removal of anti‑dumping duties, and lifting export restrictions on U.S. semiconductors. An official U.S. visit to China is planned for the first quarter of next year, though details of a trade agreement remain unspecified.
First Face‑to‑Face Since 2019
This was the first in‑person meeting between Trump and Xi since 2019. The leaders spoke optimistically about bilateral relations. The Busan meeting marked the final stop of Trump’s Asian tour, which also included visits to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Financial markets reacted positively, and investors anticipate a stabilization of U.S.–China trade relations.
