Trump’s Upcoming Trip to China
WASHINGTON – President Trump is set to visit China soon, likely to discuss tariffs and various other topics, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned on Friday following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart.
Rubio stated, “President Trump has received an invitation to China, and he’s eager to make the trip. He’s currently trying to find an appropriate date, but I believe that’s going to happen because both leaders are interested in it.”
He described his talks with China’s Foreign Minister as “very productive,” aimed at stabilizing diplomatic relations. This follows the recent Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
China’s Foreign Ministry also characterized the meeting as “positive, practical, and constructive.”
Earlier this year, Trump imposed a 145% tariff on China, which has been one of Washington’s top trading partners. He has indicated that these high tariffs could return if an agreement isn’t reached by August 10 to address ongoing trade imbalances.
The U.S. and China declared a temporary trade ceasefire last month, with the U.S. accounting for 55% of its imports. This includes Trump’s global baseline tariffs of 10%, 20% on fentanyl-related products, and the existing 25% tariff.
The broader terms of this agreement remain unresolved. Recent threats from Beijing suggest they may reinstate a 125% tariff on U.S. exports if no deal is reached.
“For the last two to three decades, the U.S. has accumulated significant trade deficits with numerous countries across the globe, including in Europe and North America,” Rubio stated, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues.
“Southeast Asia is projected to see two-thirds of global economic growth over the next 25 to 30 years, much of which will happen on digital platforms,” he added. “These platforms need to be secure—safe from cybercriminals and state actors aiming to undermine them,” he continued, noting enthusiasm for collaboration in these areas.
During the rally, Rubio also established a private nuclear partnership with Malaysia.
The U.S.-China discussions aimed to explore what Rubio referred to as a “new and different approach” to peace talks regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which included a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Rubio disclosed that over 100,000 Russian soldiers have reportedly died in 2025, yet there’s no sign that Vladimir Putin is ready to cease hostilities. “There’s a lot of loss, and it really should be over,” he expressed to a reporter at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “We’ve got a lot of nonsense. If you want the truth, Putin was, I suppose, once good, but it turns out he’s just ineffective now.”
U.S. officials have voiced concerns over potential Chinese support for Russia as it tries to rebuild its military capabilities. “I think it’s clear that the Chinese are backing Russia’s ambitions,” Rubio stated on Friday, asserting that they’re prepared to assist without drawing too much scrutiny.
