WASHINGTON — July 29, 2025:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear he’s not actively pursuing a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping — at least for now. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of visiting China, suggesting it could happen if Xi’s earlier invitation still stands.
“I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday.
Although the former president downplayed any immediate summit plans, discussions between aides on both sides have been quietly underway, according to sources familiar with the matter. A potential meeting between the two leaders is being floated as part of Trump’s expected visit to Asia later this year.
If it materializes, the trip would mark the first in-person meeting between Trump and Xi since the beginning of Trump’s second term. Relations between Washington and Beijing remain tense, with trade disputes, security concerns, and geopolitical friction still very much in play.
Sources indicate that one possible window for such a visit could be around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 1 in South Korea. Talks could happen either during a stopover or on the sidelines of the summit, although no concrete arrangements have been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the third round of U.S.-China trade negotiations is currently underway in Stockholm. Analysts believe this week’s discussions could lay the groundwork for a higher-level leaders’ meeting later in the fall.
Still, diplomatic progress remains uncertain. Any escalation — such as renewed tariffs or tightening of export controls — could derail tentative plans for a Trump-Xi encounter.
For now, the message from Trump is mixed: there’s no immediate interest in a summit, but a visit to China isn’t entirely off the table. Whether that door remains open will likely depend on the outcome of ongoing trade talks — and the broader direction of U.S.-China relations in the months ahead.
