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Xi-Trump summit: White House locks in new dates in May, Beijing silent
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump will also host Chinese leader in Washington later this year
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After weeks of speculation and behind-the-scenes intrigue over the delayed summit between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, the White House announced on Wednesday new dates for the long-anticipated, high-stakes meeting.
“I’m pleased to announce that President Trump’s … long-awaited meeting with President Xi in China will now take place in Beijing on May 14 and 15,” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.
In a social media post, Trump described Xi as “the highly respected President of China”, adding that “representatives” on both sides were “finalising preparations” for the “historic” visit.
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“I look very much forward to spending time with President Xi in what will be, I am sure, a monumental event,” he added.
The White House press secretary also announced that Trump, along with his wife, first lady Melania, will host “Xi and Madam Peng Liyuan for a reciprocal visit in Washington, DC, at a later date to be announced this year”.
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When asked whether the Xi-Trump summit depended on the end of the US-Israel war against Iran , Leavitt said that Trump and Xi had discussed rescheduling, adding that the Chinese leader understood it was “very important” for the president to stay in the US “throughout these combat operations”.
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