Beijing speaks softly ahead of Xi-Trump summit after US president anticipates ‘difficult’ meeting
China’s foreign ministry paints rosy picture for ties despite US president’s critical tweets
Beijing is striking a cordial tone for the first summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump next week, while defending its trade practices after Trump tweeted that the meeting would be “a very difficult one”.
According to the tweets by the US president, his meeting with Xi at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on April 6 and 7 would not be easy “in that we can no longer have massive trade deficits ... and job losses.” Trump added: “American companies must be prepared to look at other alternatives.”
Asked about Trump’s tweets on Friday, Zheng Zeguang, a Chinese foreign vice-minister, reiterated Beijing’s usual lines that China was not deliberately chasing trade surpluses or seeking trade advantages by devaluing its currency.
“The trade relations between China and the US have brought seeable and tangible benefits to both countries,” Zheng said. “Chinese companies’ investment in the US is growing rapidly and creating job opportunities there, which can help address the trade deficit.”
Zheng called on Washington to relax US restrictions on technology exports to China and create “a good environment” for Chinese companies investing in the United States.
The remarks from Zheng came after Washington voiced its expectations for the talks between the leaders, including demanding that Beijing do more to rein in North Korea, and address the trade deficit.