Trump says US and China nearing a ‘good deal’, links agreement to meeting with Xi
Trump also again threatens ‘substantial’ tariffs on India, citing its purchases of Russian oil
US President Donald Trump, hailing his “good relationship” with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, said on Tuesday that a deal with China was taking shape, a week after officials from both countries concluded talks on tariffs in Sweden.
“It’s not imperative, but I think we’re going to make a good deal … I won’t meet with China if we don’t make a deal. We are getting along with China very well … I have a very good relationship with President Xi,” Trump told CNBC.
He also said in the interview that China was very reliant on the US and that he did not ask for a meeting with Xi.
“They had a thing that Donald Trump really wanted to go there. No, it’s a 18-hour flight. It’s a long flight,” he said, referring to the travel time from Washington to Beijing.
“I’ll end up having a meeting before the end of the year, most likely, if we make a deal,” he added.
“At some point in the not too distant future, I will.”
Upon the conclusion of the Stockholm meeting, Chinese officials said that both sides agreed to extend the pause on new tariff hikes, which is set to end on August 12. A week later, however, the Trump administration has yet to formally confirm the extension.