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Trump sees ‘very difficult’ meeting with Xi Jinping

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This combination of file photos shows Chinese President Xi Jinping, as both leaders prepare for their summit in Florida on April 6-7. It will be the first in-person meeting between the two. Photo: AP

President Donald Trump is predicting “a very difficult” meeting next week with Chinese President Xi Jinping, citing trade deficits and lost jobs.

Hours after both governments announced an April 6-7 summit between the economic powerhouses in Florida, Trump sought to set expectations by tweeting:

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang gave no details of the agenda, but spoke of the need to see the big picture while fostering mutual interests in trade relations.

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“The market dictates that interests between our two countries are structured so that you will always have me and I will always have you,” he told a regular briefing.

“Both sides should work together to make the cake of mutual interest bigger and not simply seek fairer distribution,” he said.

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Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said earlier Thursday that the meeting is a chance for the leaders to build a relationship.

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