President Trump returned to the White House Thursday afternoon after a trip to Asia and a meeting with Chinese President Xi. It comes as the nations are engaged in a tough trade war, covering everything from agriculture to advanced technology. The two leaders agreed to something of a trade truce,each making some concessions,but mostly freezing battlelines in place. Nick Schifrin reports.
President Trump returned to the White House this afternoon after a weeklong trip to Asia that ended with a meeting early today with chinese President Xi Jinping.That summit in South Korea comes as the U.S. and China are engaged in a tough trade war. After the meeting, the two leaders agreed to something of a trade truce, each side making some concessions, but mostly freezing the business battle lines in place. Nick Schifrin starts our coverage.
Donald Trump, President of the United States: We’re going to have a very successful meeting. I have there’s no doubt whatsoever.Nick Schifrin: President Trump arrived to the highest-stakes meeting of his second term predicting success.
Donald Trump: It’s a great honour to be with a friend of mine really for a long time now.
Nick Schifrin: But Xi Jinping has not backed down to U.S. pressure this year, and he began today’s meeting by recognizing the rivalry, as heard through his translator.
Xi Jinping, Chinese President (through translator): We do not always see eye to eye with each other. And it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.Nick Schifrin: After an hour and 40 minutes, the two leaders did not solve their disputes, but agreed to a pause. The U.S. will lower tariffs connected to the fentanyl trade from 20 percent to 10 percent, bringing the U.S.’ combined tariff rate on C