U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly denied claims that he is actively pursuing a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though he acknowledged the possibility of visiting China if invited formally by his counterpart.
Taking to his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump responded to recent media coverage suggesting a planned meeting with Xi.
“The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a ‘Summit’ with President Xi of China.
“This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything!” he wrote.
He went on to clarify, “I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended.
“Otherwise, no interest! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Trump’s remarks follow a report by Reuters, published last week, indicating that aides from both Washington and Beijing had explored the possibility of a summit between the two leaders during Trump’s expected visit to Asia later this year.
Citing unnamed sources familiar with the discussions, the report noted that a potential meeting could take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
The APEC summit is scheduled in South Korea from October 30 to November 1.
If the meeting were to materialize, it would mark the first in-person encounter between Trump and Xi since the 2019 G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.
Osaka, Japan, was where both leaders last held direct talks.
That meeting came amid escalating trade tensions.
At the time, Trump’s administration imposing and adjusting tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods in an attempt to reshape the bilateral economic relationship.
Those same tensions remain a key focus today, with ongoing efforts to reach a resolution.
As the world’s two largest economies navigate a complex set of trade negotiations, recent diplomacy has taken on renewed urgency.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng launched two days of bilateral discussions on Monday in Stockholm, Sweden.
It was reportedly aimed at securing a trade agreement before the expiration of a temporary tariff truce.
The truce, which began earlier this year, is set to expire on August 12.
However, during an interview with Bloomberg Television last week, Bessent suggested that progress was being made and hinted at the possibility of extending the truce by another 90 days.
“We’re in a very good place with China now,” Bessent said, adding that an extension could help maintain momentum in the talks.
While the Trump administration remains optimistic about the potential for compromise, the rhetoric surrounding the potential summit reveals underlying political sensitivities.
Trump’s strong denial of seeking a summit likely reflects an effort to maintain a position of strength.
This is amid ongoing negotiations, especially given past criticism of his administration’s handling of U.S.–China relations.
China, for its part, has not commented publicly on whether a meeting between the two leaders is actively being arranged.
Although previous signals from Beijing have suggested a willingness to engage diplomatically if it serves mutual interests.
An invitation from President Xi, as mentioned by Trump, indicates that the door to direct dialogue remains open.
Although both sides appear cautious about how and when such a meeting might occur.
Observers note that Trump’s carefully worded statement, denying pursuit of a summit while still acknowledging Xi’s invitation, allows him to maintain flexibility.
It also provides a political buffer amid domestic scrutiny of his foreign policy approach.
This is particularly as tensions with Beijing remain a contentious issue ahead of the U.S. presidential election season.
Whether or not a Trump-Xi summit ultimately takes place this year, the broader dynamics of the U.S.-China relationship continue to be shaped by a mixture of competition, negotiation, and strategic posturing.
With trade negotiations still in progress and geopolitical rivalries deepening, any potential meeting would carry significant diplomatic weight, even if its planning remains unofficial for now.
As the October APEC summit approaches, analysts will be watching closely for any shifts in tone or policy that could indicate a thaw, or further deterioration, in ties between Washington and Beijing.