Trump sticks to the script as he lauds ‘special relationship’ with China and invites Xi to White House in September

President Donald Trump hailed the “special relationship” between the United States and China and said he’d had “extremely positive and productive talks” with Xi Jinping as he invited the Chinese leader and his wife to Washington for a September 24 state visit.

Speaking Thursday in the Great Hall of the People’s ornate banquet hall, Trump did not mention any of the myriad flashpoints in the relationship between the world’s two superpowers but instead thanked Xi for what he described as a “magnificent welcome” and said the lavish meal was “another cherished opportunity to discuss among friends some of the things that we discussed today, all good for the United States and for China.”

Trump also recounted how the Sino-American relationship dates back to the time of the American Revolution and said the connections formed then have “grown into one of the most consequential relationships in world history.”

He added: “Tonight, it is my honor to extend an invitation to you and Madam Peng to visit us at the White House this September 24, and we look forward to it.”

Xi’s September trip to Washington will make him the second world leader Trump has hosted for a state visit this year following King Charles III’s visit to Washington last month. It will be the Chinese leader’s first visit to the White House in more than a decade, coming almost exactly 11 years to the day then-president Barack Obama hosted him and his wife for a state visit.

Trump’s remarks were a rare example of him sticking entirely to a prepared text at the lavish sit-down meal, where Trump and his delegation were feted along with multiple American corporate titans, including SpaceX founder Elon Musk and outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook.

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As he recounted the history of U.S.-China relations, Trump described how Benjamin Franklin had printed “sayings” of the Chinese philosopher Confucius in his newspaper and noted that the “ancient Chinese sage” is now depicted in a carving of famous lawgivers on the wall of the U.S. Supreme Court. He then pointed out how Chinese “admirers” of George Washington had donated a tablet that is now inside the Washington Monument.

“This bond of commerce and respect that stretches back 250 years is the foundation for a future that benefits both of our nations,” Trump said.

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He added that both the American and Chinese people “share much in common,” including valuing “hard work ... courage .and achievement,” and said both countries “have the chance to draw on these values to create a future of greater prosperity, cooperation and happiness and peace for our children.”

Trump’s remarks came hours after he and Xi concluded what the White House described as “a good meeting” at which they’d discussed “discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation” between the U.S. and China.

The White House also said Trump and Xi had both agreed that the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open to support the free flow of energy” and acknowledged that Xi said China opposes Iran’s efforts to militarize the key waterway or charge tolls for its use.

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During his own speech at the podium, Xi described the American president’s visit as “historic” and further called on both the U.S. and China to be “partners rather than rivals,” adding: “We must make it work.”

“Achieving the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand,” Xi said.

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Trump and his aides hope the president’s visit to China will pave the way for more Chinese purchases of American goods and a further opening of Beijing’s markets. But the pleasantries the two leaders directed at each other on Thursday glossed over what appeared to be a major area of contention between the two countries — U.S. support for Taiwan.

A Chinese readout of Trump and Xi’s closed-door talks noted that Xi warned Trump that mishandling the issue of Taiwan could lead to “clashes or even conflict”, describing it as “an extremely dangerous situation.”

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Trump declined to engage with reporters who asked him if he and Xi had discussed Taiwan during a visit to the Temple of Heaven earlier in the day.

He replied “great” when asked how the talks were going. Asked about Taiwan specifically, he continued his previous thought.

“Great place, incredible, China’s beautiful,” he said.

When pressed further on whether he had talked about Taiwan, the president and Xi both stared into the distance as Trump avoided answering the question for the third time.

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