President Trump confirmed on Friday that he will hold two more meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the end of the year, building on the three-day state visit that concluded at the White House. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would see Xi in China in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and again in December at the G20 in Miami.
"President Xi and Madam Peng have just left D.C., heading for China. The meeting was one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both China and the U.S.A.," Trump wrote. "Much has been, and will be, accomplished. I look forward to our next meeting!"
The announcement came after Xi, during a tea with Trump and first lady Melania Trump, noted that the two leaders would have additional opportunities to meet this year. Trump responded, "We will."
Xi's visit, his second state trip to the United States, wrapped up on Friday. His previous state visit occurred in 2015 under President Barack Obama. Trump rolled out the red carpet, but the warm welcome drew sharp criticism from both parties, with senators citing China's reported assistance to Iran in its conflict with the U.S. and Beijing's human rights record. Trump himself had previously criticized Obama for the lavish treatment of Xi during that earlier visit.
Trump told reporters that he and Xi discussed the Iran war, and U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue said Trump made clear that Chinese support for Iran is unacceptable. The two leaders also talked about artificial intelligence, and Trump hinted at a potential agricultural deal, saying, "I think our farmers are going to be very happy, a lot of very positive things happened."
The state visit was not without friction. Chinese press clashes with U.S. journalists and Secret Service at the White House underscored the tension. Meanwhile, the summit wrapped up amid GOP unease and economic strain, with lawmakers on both sides wary of Beijing's influence.
Trump's scheduling of the APEC and G20 meetings signals a continuation of high-level engagement despite the rocky relationship. The upcoming summits will test whether the two leaders can translate personal rapport into concrete progress on trade, technology, and regional security.
Political analysts note that Trump's about-face on Xi's welcome—he once blasted Obama's "chumminess" with the Chinese leader—reflects the shifting dynamics of great-power diplomacy. The president's push for a farm deal also aligns with his base's interests, though critics question the concessions China might extract in return.
As the year-end summits approach, the world will watch whether Trump and Xi can move beyond the symbolic and achieve substantive outcomes, or whether the friction that marked this state visit will continue to define their interactions.
