After six years without a direct meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally sat down together at the APEC forum in Busan, South Korea. The meeting marked a new chapter in relations between the world’s two largest economies, which had long been strained by trade and political tensions.
Trump Lowers Import Tariffs for China
During the meeting, Trump announced a significant move to reduce import tariffs on Chinese goods by 10 percent, from around 57 percent to 47 percent. The decision signaled a positive step toward easing the prolonged trade war between Washington and Beijing.
In return, China committed to maintaining the supply of rare earth metals, which are vital components for the global technology industry. The country also agreed to resume purchases of U.S. agricultural commodities such as soybeans, as part of an initial deal to restore trade relations between the two nations.
Economic Dialogue Opens Path to Global Stability
Beyond tariffs and exports, the talks also covered other key issues such as high-tech export policies and the control of cross-border trafficking of hazardous chemicals. However, sensitive topics like Taiwan were reportedly not discussed during the closed-door meeting.
Xi Jinping stated that differences between the two major nations are normal but emphasized the importance of cooperation based on mutual respect and open communication. Meanwhile, Trump described the meeting’s outcome as “a first step toward a more stable relationship” and hinted at a possible official visit to China in April to further deepen economic cooperation.
Global markets reacted positively to the news. The Chinese yuan strengthened slightly, while Asian stock markets posted moderate gains amid expectations that trade tensions would ease. Analysts believe that if this initial understanding evolves into a broader agreement, U.S.–China relations could once again become a key driver of global economic growth.
This reconciliation effort brings new hope for geopolitical and economic stability worldwide. Despite lingering challenges, the Trump–Xi meeting demonstrated that dialogue remains the main path to maintaining balance between the world’s two largest powers.
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