Xi and Trump embrace tepid, delicate friendship though they ‘do not always see eye to eye’

Published October 31, 2025 8:00am ET



President Donald Trump and Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping seem to be embracing a water-under-the-bridge mentality following their trade summit in South Korea.

Despite speculation that the summit could prove to be a tense confrontation between the two world leaders — their first time meeting in person since Trump returned to office — the United States and China have agreed that friendship is preferable.

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