The US President and Chinese President Xi Jinping will begin talks that experts believe could either ease tensions or plunge the world’s largest economies into a deeper trade war. The two nations have been bitterly divided over trade in recent months. The US has been attempting to contain China’s economic might via a programme of sanctions.
But it now appears Trump’s stance is thawing.
He said: “I actually think that we were very close and then something happened where it slipped a little bit and now we’re getting a little bit closer.
“But it would be historic if we could do a fair trade deal.
“We’re totally open to it and you’re totally open to it.
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“I think this will be a very productive meeting and I think we can go on to do something that truly will be monumental.”
Washington has attempted to stifle China’s growing economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Trump placed numerous tariffs on China last May and since then billions of dollars have been lost in disputes between the countries.
On Wednesday, Trump said he planned to impose 10 percent tariffs on $325m worth of Chinese goods.
Mr Jinping told Trump he was ready to talk over the issue.
Mr Jinping told Trump he was ready to talk over the issue.
He said: “Forty years on, enormous change has taken place in the international situation and China-US relations, but one basic fact remains unchanged. China and the United States both benefit from cooperation and lose in confrontation.
“Cooperation and dialogue are better than friction and confrontation.
“Today I’m prepared to exchange views with you on the fundamental issues concerning the growth of China-US relations, so as to set the direction for our relationship in the period to come and to advance the China-U.S. relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability.”