‘Positive interactions’ between Trump and Xi have stabilised ties: China Foreign Minister

Wang Yi has signalled that Beijing is open to strike a deal with Washington at an upcoming summit. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BEIJING - With Mr Donald Trump and Mr Xi Jinping set to meet for a high-stakes summit in a few weeks, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the interactions between the two leaders have helped stabilise US-China relations.

“It is heartening that the leaders of the two countries have led by example by maintaining positive interactions at the top level,” he said on March 8, signalling that Beijing might be ready for a deal at the upcoming meeting, even as it has yet to confirm the date.

“This has provided an important strategic safeguard for the relationship to improve and move forward, as well as achieved overall stability after ups and downs.”

For the two countries, avoiding engagement would only breed misunderstanding and miscalculation, steering them toward conflict and confrontation, and ultimately harming the world, said Mr Wang, China’s top diplomat, at a press conference.

Mr Trump and Mr Xi have held several phone calls and one in-person meeting - in October 2025 - since the American president again took office in January 2025. Mr Wang was speaking to foreign and Chinese media during the Two Sessions, China’s annual parliamentary meetings.

It is believed that both the US and China are keen to avoid antagonism ahead of Mr Trump’s visit to Beijing, which will mark the first time in eight years a US President has made a trip to China. Issues ranging from tariffs to rare earths are expected to be on the agenda.