President Donald Trump concluded his visit to China by emphasizing the outcomes of his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He highlighted a trade agreement and the expansion of U.S. agricultural product purchases, while also stressing China's alignment with the U.S. on issues related to the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz.
On May 15, Trump told reporters in Beijing after a private meeting with Xi, "The visit was unbelievable," adding, "We reached a fantastic trade agreement for both countries." He noted that they addressed several issues that others had failed to resolve.
Trump stated that topics discussed during the meeting included trade, technology, Taiwan, and the Iran conflict.
In the realm of trade, the expansion of Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products was a key achievement. Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, expressed optimism that an agreement would lead to China purchasing "tens of billions of dollars" worth of U.S. agricultural products annually over the next three years. Reuters reported that this could include not only soybeans but also corn and sorghum, in addition to existing commitments.
Energy discussions were also part of the agenda. According to AP, Trump explained that China could increase its imports of U.S. crude oil. This move is seen as an effort to diversify China's energy import structure away from reliance on the Middle East and expand U.S. energy exports.
Regarding the Iran issue, Trump emphasized China's cooperation, stating, "President Xi expressed his willingness to help end the Iran conflict." He also noted that Xi indicated China would not supply military equipment to Iran.
Trump remarked, "We feel very similarly in that we do not want Iran to have nuclear weapons and we want the Strait of Hormuz to remain open."
Greer also mentioned in an interview with Bloomberg that China desires to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without tolls or military control. He explained that China views the easing of tensions in the Middle East pragmatically and has shown a willingness to limit military support to Iran.
However, it is difficult to view this meeting as a resolution to the underlying U.S.-China conflicts. Xi raised the Taiwan issue as a core matter in U.S.-China relations, sending a warning to the United States. AP noted that while both sides projected a friendly atmosphere, complex issues regarding Iran, Taiwan, and technology controls remain unresolved.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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