US Treasury Secretary: "Trump and Xi Jinping May Meet Up to Four Times This Year"

"U.S.-China in a 'Good Balance' With Little Risk of Full-Scale Confrontation"

Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, predicted that President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could meet up to four times this year.

Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

In an interview with the U.S. political media outlet Politico on the 22nd (local time), Secretary Bessent identified several events as opportunities for the two leaders to meet: President Trump's planned visit to China in April, a possible reciprocal visit by President Xi to the United States, and the G20 Summit scheduled for December in Miami, Florida. In addition, Secretary Bessent noted that President Trump had "shown interest" in attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which will be held in Shenzhen, China, in November.

Secretary Bessent stated that the two leaders would maintain a productive relationship during these meetings, saying, "If we have this series of meetings to move forward, no one will want to disrupt the situation." He also added, "When the two leaders set the overall tone for bilateral relations, if minor issues or setbacks arise, they can quickly ease tensions with a phone call."

In particular, Secretary Bessent said that U.S.-China relations have reached a "very good state of balance," making it unlikely that the relationship will escalate into a full-scale confrontation like the tariff war experienced last year.

Secretary Bessent also shared that, during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, he was told that China is committed to implementing the agreements reached by President Trump and President Xi. He stated, "We will continue to press China to be accountable for implementing the agreements," and added, "However, they have fulfilled all their commitments. Last week, China completed its entire quota for purchasing U.S. soybeans. Like President Trump, I am asking China for additional purchases, but this is not an obligation."