Trump is going to hit the ground running.
President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that strengthening relations with China will be a priority during his first term in office. According to recent reports, Trump is considering a trip to China within his first 100 days as President, a move aimed at mending ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping and addressing key issues that have strained the U.S.-China relationship in recent years.
The 47th President of the United States, who will be sworn into office on January 20, plans to meet with President Xi as part of efforts to find common ground on major concerns like trade imbalances, the ongoing fentanyl crisis, and security issues. Trump, who has long been outspoken about the need for tougher policies on China, indicated that he views the phone call he had with Xi earlier in the week as a promising first step toward cooperation. Trump posted on Truth Social that their discussion was “very good for both China and the U.S.A.” and expressed optimism about solving shared problems. He emphasized the importance of balancing trade, combating the fentanyl epidemic, and addressing other critical issues such as China’s handling of social media apps like TikTok.
In the past, Trump has made no secret of his hardline stance on China, calling for aggressive tariffs and trade policies to protect American workers. During his 2024 campaign, he proposed imposing a universal tariff of up to 20% on all foreign imports, with even higher levies on countries like China that undermine the U.S. dollar. His proposals also included a 25% tariff on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada, alongside additional measures to crack down on China’s role in the illicit fentanyl trade.
Despite these tough policies, Trump has remained open to diplomacy, even extending an invitation to President Xi to attend his inauguration. Although Xi will not be attending, Chinese officials, including Ambassador Xie Feng, will be present at the ceremony, signaling Beijing’s continued interest in engaging with the incoming administration.
As Trump prepares to take office, his plans to visit China reflect his understanding that U.S.-China relations are a critical area where he can exert influence, using both negotiation and pressure to achieve results that benefit America. Whether through direct engagement or economic leverage, it is clear that President Trump is committed to reshaping America’s role in the global economic and political landscape.