Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged closer cooperation with US President Donald Trump, calling for both nations to avoid confrontation and instead “build a brighter future” during high-stakes bilateral talks.
The remarks came during a closely watched summit where both sides discussed economic ties and global stability.
Xi emphasized that the world is watching how the two major powers choose to shape their relationship.
Opening the meeting, Xi said the international environment is becoming “fluid and turbulent,” noting that global transformation is accelerating “not seen in a century.”
He said humanity is standing at a “new crossroads” and raised key questions about whether China and the United States can avoid the so-called Thucydides trap — a theory describing conflict between rising and established powers.
Xi asked whether both countries can overcome rivalry, address global challenges together, and “build a brighter future for our bilateral relations.”
He stressed that these questions are “vital to history, the world, and the people,” and require leadership decisions at the highest level.
Xi congratulates US on 250th Independence Anniversary
During his remarks, Xi also congratulated the United States on its 250th anniversary of independence.
He said China and the US share more common interests than differences, adding that “success in one is an opportunity for another.”
According to Xi, stable China-US relations are beneficial not only for both countries but for global stability as well.
Call for cooperation over confrontation
Xi emphasized that both nations “stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontations.”
He said the two countries should act as partners rather than rivals and support each other’s development.
“We should help each other succeed and prosper,” he said, adding that both sides must find a “right way for major countries to get along in the new era.”
Xi also expressed hope that discussions with Trump would help guide future relations and make 2026 a “historic landmark year” in China-US diplomacy.
Chinese state media reported that Xi said trade teams from both countries had reached a “generally balanced and positive outcome” in earlier negotiations.
The talks involved Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who met in South Korea ahead of the summit.
Xi reiterated that “there are no winners in a trade war,” calling for continued cooperation and maintaining positive momentum in economic relations.
Trump Calls Xi a “great leader”
On the US side, Trump responded warmly during the opening exchange, saying it was “an honour” to meet Xi.
Donald Trump said both leaders had previously resolved disputes through direct communication, adding that their countries had often worked through difficulties quickly.
He praised Xi as a “great leader” and said US-China relations could become “better than ever before.”
Trump also said he had brought leading business figures to the meeting, describing them as “the best in the world.”
According to reports, both countries are considering a managed trade mechanism covering non-sensitive goods worth around $30 billion in tariff reductions on each side.
The proposal aims to expand trade without crossing national security boundaries, focusing on sectors such as agriculture and energy.
US officials have suggested the plan could evolve into a broader framework, though key details remain under discussion.
US-China trade relations have faced long-standing friction, including tariffs imposed during earlier trade disputes. Both sides continue to maintain restrictions on sensitive sectors such as technology and strategic goods.
Despite tensions, recent negotiations indicate a possible shift toward limited cooperation and structured trade balance arrangements.
