WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- The United States (US) President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to China from March 31 to April 2 for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a White House official said Friday.
According to Kyodo News, it will be Trump's first trip to China since returning to office in January last year, with trade, Taiwan and global affairs, ranging from Iran's nuclear ambitions to Russia's prolonged war in Ukraine, likely to top the agenda.
Trump last visited China in November 2017 during his first term. Since meeting Xi in South Korea in late October, Trump has repeatedly said he has a good relationship with the Chinese leader and looks forward to visiting China this spring.
In reciprocation for his visit to China as a state guest, Trump has said he will host Xi in the United States toward the end of this year.
As part of preparations for Trump's visit to Beijing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi a week ago in Germany on the sidelines of an annual security conference.
At the previous meeting, Trump and Xi agreed to a one-year truce in a trade war between the world's two largest economies.
Trump's upcoming trip takes place after the US Supreme Court on Friday ruled against his sweeping tariffs targeting China and almost all other US trading partners.
In addition to trade issues, Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, is likely to be a delicate topic when the two presidents meet.
During a call with Trump earlier this month, Xi stressed that Taiwan is the "most important issue" in Sino-US relations, according to the Chinese government.
China has reacted sharply to the Trump administration's announcement in December of a huge package of arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing does not rule out using force to bring the self-governing island under its control.
Asked about the possibility of sending more weapons to Taiwan earlier this week, Trump, who is believed to be under pressure from China not to do so, said, "We'll make a determination pretty soon."
Trump's diplomatic skills will also be tested when he hosts Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House on March 19, amid China's criticism of her remarks on a potential Taiwan Strait crisis.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU
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