Trump Downplays Taiwan Risk, Plans Xi Meeting and Trade Deal Push

Overview

• Trump said China does not want to invade Taiwan and voiced skepticism of reports suggesting Beijing could consider action by 2027.
• He said he expects to see Xi Jinping in about two weeks and confirmed plans to visit China early next year.
• He said he hopes for a fair trade agreement with China and cast the U.S.–Australia submarine arrangement as a deterrent.
• U.S. Trade Representative official Jamieson Greer accused Beijing of economic coercion and warned of a U.S. response, citing pressure on firms linked to strategic industries.
• China named Li Chenggang as its chief trade negotiator, a move reported by state media as broader trade frictions continue, including U.S. sanctions and Chinese curbs on rare-earth exports.