The North News
New Delhi, October 30
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a closely watched meeting in South Korea on Thursday, marking a renewed phase of dialogue between the world’s two largest economies amid trade tensions and geopolitical challenges.
Describing the encounter as “friendly,” President Trump told reporters afterwards that the two leaders “agreed to almost everything,” signalling what he called a “tremendous step forward” in US–China relations.
“We are in agreement for large amounts — tremendous amounts — of soya beans,” Trump said, adding that China would begin purchases “immediately.”
Trump also revealed that the two sides discussed semiconductors and technology supply chains — a major sticking point in recent years — and hinted that progress had been made. “We did discuss chips,” he confirmed.
The US president further announced his plans to visit China in April, a move expected to reinforce the warming tone between Washington and Beijing after months of strained exchanges.
“It was a friendly meeting,” Trump said. “China will buy our soya beans. We agreed to almost everything.”
President Xi, for his part, praised Trump’s “great contribution” to international peace efforts, citing Washington’s involvement in ceasefire talks in Gaza and efforts to stabilize tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
“Mr. President, you care a lot about world peace and are very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues,” Xi said. “I appreciate your great contribution to settling the Gaza ceasefire.”
Xi acknowledged that while the U.S. and China may differ on certain issues, cooperation remains essential.
“Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye,” Xi said. “It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have friction now and then.”
Nonetheless, he emphasized that “China and the U.S. need to be partners, friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality demands.”
Xi added that trade teams from both nations had reached a “basic consensus” on key economic concerns, creating the “necessary conditions” for Thursday’s dialogue.
The meeting concluded with a handshake and what observers described as “a brief whisper” between the two leaders — a symbolic gesture of cautious optimism following years of strained ties.
