BEIJING (AP) — President Donald Trump told Xi Jinping on Thursday that “it’s an honor to be your friend,” even as his Chinese counterpart offered warnings about avoiding a possible clash between the two nations during their much-watched bilateral meeting.
The stark contrast in tone underscored just how far apart the leaders remain on thorny issues including the war in Iran, trade disputes and Washington’s relationship with Taiwan — and suggested that Trump and Xi’s highly anticipated meetings are likely to be longer on pageantry and symbolism than major breakthroughs.
The meeting was behind closed doors, but the official Xinhua news agency reported that Xi told Trump that if Taiwan is not handled correctly, the U.S. and China risk “clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.”
That followed public opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People, where Trump was full of platitudes, saying of Xi, “You’re a great leader. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway, because it’s true.”
“It’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor to be your friend,” Trump said before promising that “the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.”
