Payam Javan: In a recent statement, President Donald Trump refuted reports claiming he was actively seeking a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Taking to Truth Social, Trump clarified, “The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a ‘summit’ with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything.” However, he did express openness to a potential visit to China, but only if it were at the direct invitation of President Xi, an offer he indicated has already been extended. Such a trip, if it materializes, would mark his second visit to China during his presidency, following his initial trip in 2017.

Trump’s clarification comes as the U.S. and China are engaged in crucial trade negotiations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held a third round of talks in Stockholm on July 28, aiming to finalize a trade agreement before the August 12 deadline, after which tariffs are set to increase if no deal is reached. Both Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that while an “enormous breakthrough” wasn’t expected, the ongoing discussions were a positive sign. The two economic powers have been working to de-escalate a trade war that has seen tariffs on goods reach as high as 145 percent for U.S. imports from China and 125 percent for Chinese imports from the U.S., with a temporary agreement in May reducing these to 30 percent and 10 percent respectively.