Trump vows to speak with Xi on trade, aims for deficit reduction and fentanyl fight

US President Donald Trump on March 21 reaffirmed his intention to engage directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping while ruling out the involvement of his close adviser, Elon Musk, in any strategy concerning China.

Trump emphasized that he wanted to avoid a “potential war” with China and rejected the idea of involving Musk in any sensitive discussions related to Beijing, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“I’ll be speaking to President Xi,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “I have a great relationship with him,” he continued, highlighting his personal rapport with the Chinese leader. Trump also pointed out the ongoing economic challenge, saying, “But we have a trillion-dollar deficit,” explaining that he had conveyed this concern directly to President Xi.

Addressing a New York Times report about Musk’s access to sensitive Pentagon information regarding China, Trump clarified that he would not share such details with the billionaire. “I won’t be sharing that with Elon Musk,” he said, referring to Musk’s business interests in China.

Amid growing trade tensions, Trump also revealed that Jamieson Greer, his top trade adviser, plans to meet with his Chinese counterpart next week. This would take place just days before the highly anticipated April 2 unveiling of new US tariffs on countries that impose taxes on US imports, potentially targeting China.

While Trump did not specify the objectives of the upcoming talks, he reiterated his long-standing trade goals. “My goal is to end the shipment of Chinese chemicals used to synthesize illegal fentanyl through Mexico,” Trump explained. He noted that achieving this goal would likely require further law enforcement cooperation between the US and China.

Additionally, Trump expressed his desire to address the US trade deficit with China, which has been a central issue in his administration’s trade policies. “We need to narrow the deficit with China,” he said.

China has yet to comment on the potential meeting between Trump and Xi, and Beijing has consistently criticized Trump’s trade measures as ineffective. In response, China has imposed limited retaliatory tariffs of 10% on US oil, liquefied natural gas, and farm equipment, while also highlighting its own counter-narcotics efforts.

Trump’s comments about his planned talks with President Xi and his broader trade objectives come as the US and China continue to navigate the complexities of their economic relationship. The specific Chinese official who will join Greer in the upcoming discussions remains unclear.

By Tamilla Hasanova