On Thursday Chinese President Xi Jinping was welcomed into the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida by President Trump. The opulent resort is one of many properties owned by the real estate United States president-elect.
The meeting was attended by about two dozen people. Seated around the table were the president’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Chief White House Strategist Steve Banon and the presidents’ first ladies.
The meal was preceded by a press conference in which President Trump and Mr. Xi Jinping were spotted shaking hands and smiling. Mr. Trump gave his sentiments about the meeting, saying that it was ‘an honor’ to host President Jinping. President Trump also expressed optimism about the future of Chinese-US relations, saying that he felt that he and Jinping had ‘developed a friendship.’ President Trump talked of the relationship being long-lasting as well.
Back at the table a sumptuous meal was served much to the disappointment of those who looked forward to spotting burgers. This expectation stemmed from a comment the US president once made, that if he hosted his Chinese counterpart, he would take the latter to McDonald’s for a burger and a serious discussion on ‘work.’
Both President Trump and Xi Jinping have a lot to gain from striking a deal after these deliberations that will see both their countries benefit financially. It is not evident at this time whether the bombing of Syria by US forces on Friday morning will have any effect on the ongoing talks.
Though both Jinping and Donald Trump declined to comment about it before Thursday’s meeting, the United States seeks to enlist China’s aid in dealing with the North Korean nuclear missiles program. Speaking to the Financial Times on Monday, Mr. Trump had said he would take responsibility for North Korea ‘with or without China’s help.’
The general atmosphere, however, is hopeful that President Trump can secure the assistance of the Chinese to cripple the Pyongyang program. The reason for this is that China, being a North Korean neighbor, is in a better position to do so.
China in the past has been reluctant to halt the North Korean nuclear weapons program because of fear of a surge of refugees from the neighboring nation if it did so. On the other hand, the North Korean missile fired into the Sea of Japan is an escalation of the threat presented by the Asian nation and may prompt China into action.
Trump is additionally expected to make a deal that will promote the US manufacturing industry’s growth.
China also stands to gain or lose a lot from the talks. The Asian superpower has a one-nation policy that the Taiwanese Island just off its shore chooses to ignore. An endorsement from President Trump will go a long way in the realization of the policy. It would also curb the heightened chaos created when Trump called up the Taiwanese president and supplied US weaponry to the island. Mr. Xi hopes to resolve the issue of contention in the South China Sea thereby allowing his nation to build artificial islands in that water space.
Reports on the outcome of the discussion are expected to be released after Friday’s lunch meeting.
