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US-China relations
US

Trump confirms delay of Xi meeting in Beijing as China ‘maintains communication’

Citing Iran, US president pushes back highly anticipated summit at least ‘five or six weeks’ while top diplomat Wang Yi indicates ceasefire efforts

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US President Donald Trump spoke of “a very good working relationship with China” on Tuesday when explaining the delayed summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Photo: AP
Lucy Quagginin New YorkandFan Chenin Hong Kong
US President Donald Trump has said a planned meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing would be delayed by at least “five or six weeks”, as China noted the two sides would remain in communication about the visit.

“We’re working with China. They were fine with it … I look forward to seeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me, I think,” the American leader told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

The Chinese embassy in Washington did not confirm Trump’s timeline. “China and the US remain in communication on President Trump’s visit to China, including the dates,” it said shortly afterwards.
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The Beijing trip had been scheduled for March 31 to April 2, according to a White House announcement in February. It would mark the first visit to China of Trump’s second term.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that the US was working with China and they’d agreed to postpone the trip.

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“I think they understand the president’s rationale for doing so,” she said, adding that the timeline remained up in the air.

“The president has some things here at home in May that he has to attend to. And I’m sure President Xi is a very busy man as well. So we’ll get the dates on the books as soon as we can, and we’ll keep all of you posted.”

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