Chinese President Xi Jinping urged diplomatic teams to rapidly finalize a new trade pact with the US, stating the results should provide “peace of mind” to China, the US, and the entire world. This call for stability followed a breakthrough meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting, which Trump called “amazing,” resulted in a one-year agreement. The deal includes the US slashing some tariffs and pausing a controversial tech restriction measure for one year. China, for its part, agreed to buy US soybeans and halt new curbs on rare earth minerals.
Speaking at the APEC forum in Gyeongju, South Korea, President Xi built on this theme of stability. He warned against protectionist measures that “break supply chains” and advocated for a cooperative approach.
“We must adhere to the principle of joining hands rather than letting go,” Xi told the APEC members. He championed “genuine multilateralism” and the “opening up and development of supply chains” as the path forward for the region.
The positive momentum is set to continue with planned visits. President Trump announced he would travel to China in April, and President Xi is expected to visit the US sometime after that. Xi’s emphasis on “dialogue is always better than confrontation” underscored the new, less contentious tone.