President Trump on Friday confirmed he will sit down with Chinese President Xi Jinping two more times before the end of the year, following Xi’s three-day state visit to the United States.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he will meet with Xi in China in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting. The two leaders will then meet again in December during the Group of 20 Summit in Miami.
“President Xi and Madam Peng have just left D.C., heading for China. The meeting was one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both China and the U.S.A.,” Trump wrote. “Much has been, and will be, accomplished. I look forward to our next meeting!”
The plans took shape earlier Friday during a tea with Trump and first lady Melania Trump. At that gathering, Xi said he and Trump would have two more opportunities to meet this year, one in China and one in the U.S.
Trump accepted the invitation on the spot.
“We will,” the president said in response.
Xi wrapped up his second state visit to the U.S. on Friday. His previous visit came in 2015, during former President Obama’s administration.
This time around, Trump literally rolled out the red carpet for the Chinese leader. The warm reception came despite criticism from both sides of the aisle, given the historically adversarial relationship between Washington and Beijing.
Senators from both parties raised concerns about the visit. Republican and Democratic lawmakers pointed to allegations that China has aided Iran in its war against the U.S., along with Beijing’s poor human rights record.
The welcome also stands in contrast to Trump’s own past comments. The president himself criticized Obama at the time for the lavish welcome he gave Xi.
Still, the White House meetings did not shy away from tough topics. Trump told reporters Friday that he and Xi discussed the Iran war. U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue said Trump made it clear to Xi that China helping Iran is unacceptable.
The Iran war was not the only issue on the table. The two leaders also discussed artificial intelligence during their meetings.
On the economic front, the president hinted that an agriculture deal could be in the works, a development that could prove significant for American growers.
“I think our farmers are going to be very happy, a lot of very positive things happened,” Trump said.
With the state visit now complete, attention turns to the two upcoming meetings. The November trip to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting will put Trump on Xi’s home turf, while the December G20 Summit in Miami will bring the Chinese leader back to American soil.
Trump, for his part, framed the week as a success for both nations, writing that much has already been accomplished and more is still to come. Critics in both parties, however, remain wary of Beijing’s alleged support for Iran and its human rights record as the two leaders prepare to meet again.
[READ MORE: CNN’s Scott Jennings Breaks With Trump After White House Blocks Network From Xi State Dinner]
