US President-elect Donald Trump is considering international trips to China and India following his inauguration, as he seeks to strengthen relations with both countries. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Saturday, Trump has discussed the possibility of visiting China with his advisors as part of an effort to improve ties with President Xi Jinping’s government, despite tensions during his campaign over trade issues.
Trump had previously threatened to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports, which strained relations between the two nations. However, following his election win, he expressed a desire to build a deeper relationship with Beijing. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that Trump intends to visit China after taking office, aiming to ease any lingering tensions.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Trump has had conversations with advisors about a potential trip to India. These discussions gained momentum after India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, visited Washington, D.C. around Christmas. The visit to India could occur as soon as April or later in the fall, as the country prepares to host the Quad Summit, which includes leaders from the United States, Australia, and Japan. There are also indications that Trump may invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a meeting at the White House this spring.
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In a related development, Trump held a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping a day before. Xi’s presence at Trump’s inauguration ceremony is noteworthy, as Vice-President Han Zheng will represent China, marking the first time a senior Chinese official will attend a US presidential inauguration. Trump shared on social media that his call with Xi was productive, expressing hope that both leaders would work together to address global issues.
Trump’s potential visit to China would come at a sensitive time in US-China relations, which are complicated by issues such as trade imbalances and the ongoing fentanyl crisis. Trump has also pushed China to take stronger action against chemical producers that supply fentanyl to Mexican cartels. Despite these challenges, Trump remains optimistic about future cooperation with Beijing.
