President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has accepted an invitation from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in April and, in return, invited Xi for a state visit to the U.S. later next year.
According to The Associated Press, the announcement came after a phone call between the two leaders, nearly a month after their in-person meeting in South Korea. According to Trump, the conversation covered Ukraine, fentanyl, and purchases of American soybeans.
“Our relationship with China is extremely strong!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
Beijing, which released its own statement first, confirmed the phone call but did not mention the reciprocal visits. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the discussion included trade, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
Xi reportedly emphasized that Taiwan’s return to mainland China is “an integral part of the postwar international order,” a point Trump did not address publicly.
Experts say the differences in messaging underscore ongoing tensions, even as both sides highlight common ground.
Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, noted that the Taiwan discussion may also reflect China’s concern over rising tensions with Japan, following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan’s military could intervene if China acted against Taiwan.
Xi told Trump that China and the U.S. should “jointly safeguard the victory of World War II,” while Trump has maintained strategic ambiguity on sending U.S. troops in a potential Taiwan conflict.
The U.S. recently approved $330 million in arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing protested as violating the “One China” principle.
Trump highlighted agricultural and trade issues in his post-call statement. “We have done a good, and very important, deal for our Great Farmers — and it will only get better,” he wrote.
Since the October meeting, China has purchased nearly 2 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans, ending a monthslong boycott, though the White House says China has pledged 12 million metric tons for next year.
The leaders also discussed fentanyl and other farm products, with Beijing imposing export restrictions on 13 chemicals used in synthetic opioids while the Trump administration reduced tariffs on Chinese goods.
Xi described U.S.-China relations as “generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory” and urged both sides to make “more positive progress.” With tensions easing in trade, Trump wrote, “Now we can set our sights on the big picture.”
