New Delhi: US President-elect Donald Trump is planning visits to China and India within his first 100 days in office as part of his efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with the two economic heavyweights. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump has expressed interest in visiting China, seeking to rebuild relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The relationship got strained after Trump threated to impose steeper tariffs on Chinese imports during his campaign.
Trump has also discussed a potential trip to India with his advisers, with, according to the report, preliminary talks were initiated following external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Washington DC in December. The visit could take place as early as April. It is also speculated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be invited for a meeting at the White House this spring.
Trump-Xi phone call
This comes just a day after Trump spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing trade, fentanyl, TikTok and other subjects. “I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China. It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, starting immediately,” Trump wrote on social media after the call. Trump asserted that the call was “very good” for both countries.
While Trump invited Xi to the inauguration, it is unprecedented for Chinese leaders to attend the swearing-in of foreign leaders. In a rare gesture, Xi has sent Vice-President Han Zheng to attend Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, the first time a senior Chinese official will be present at a US presidential inauguration. External affairs minister Jaishankar will represent India at the event.
In the Wall Street Journal report, sources indicated that a visit to China could be timely, as the US is considering new tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump has also urged China to crack down on chemical suppliers responsible for sending fentanyl ingredients to Mexican cartels.
