These Are The Ten Americans Driving U.S. Policy Towards China

Xinhua/Li Xueren

Derek Robinson, Politico: The 10 Names That Matter on China Policy

Trump’s skepticism of Asia was a key part of his campaign’s identity. These 10 people are dealing with the reality.

“As close as lips and teeth,” goes the Chinese proverb traditionally cited to describe the nation’s relationship with North Korea. This week, President Donald Trump heads to Singapore to negotiate with Kim Jong Un over North Korea’s burgeoning nuclear arms program, in what may be the most consequential deal of his life. Chinese President Xi Jinping will be watching these negotiations closely, wary of any concessions on North Korea’s part that could lead to greater U.S. influence on a continent over which his party grows increasingly dominant each year. It was surely no coincidence that Kim arrived in Singapore on a Chinese jet.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: For those who may not know .... I have a long history with China .... dating back to the 1980s. As to President Trump's team of Chinese experts .... I am glad to see Minxin Pei on the list. His understands China's economy .... its weaknesses and strengths .... and I have found his predictions over the years to be right almost all of the time. The other person that I am happy to see on the list is Bill Bishop. I am a subscriber to his newsletter, and he is easily one of the best that I have met in understanding how China works. Bottom line .... when it comes to China .... President Trump has assembled an incredible team of experts.

A Look At Chinese President Xi's Inner circle, And The Role That They Will Play In U.S.-China Relations

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan. Nikkei Asia Review

Wall Street Journal: All President Xi’s Men: China’s New Government Braces for Trump

Mr. Xi and deputies have met with U.S. officials recently, a sign of concern in Beijing about relations with the U.S.

BEIJING—Cleared to stay in power indefinitely, Chinese President Xi Jinping has discarded the leadership structure he inherited and is kicking off his second term with a handpicked team of trusted lieutenants.

For the next five years, Mr. Xi will look to his inner circle to shore up a sluggish economy, eradicate poverty and enhance China’s global standing—while shielding his ambitious agenda from being derailed by rocky relations with the U.S.

Two men in particular have emerged in key roles: Wang Qishan, the former anticorruption chief who took office as deputy head of state on Saturday, and Liu He, the architect of Mr. Xi’s economic policies, who is due for promotion on Monday.

In recent weeks, Mr. Xi and his two deputies met directly with U.S. officials, people familiar with the matter say—a sign of the president’s heightened concerns about China-U.S. ties.

Mr. Xi hosted the U.S. ambassador to Beijing, Terry Branstad, at an informal gathering of both men’s families in early February, according to people with knowledge of the event. The two have known each other since Mr. Xi visited the U.S. in 1985.

The president also dispatched Messrs. Wang and Liu to meet with the U.S. ambassador separately, those people said. And right before the start of the legislative session, Mr. Liu went to Washington, holding at times contentious talks with senior U.S. officials including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. A hoped-for meeting with President Donald Trump didn’t materialize.

Read more ....

WNU editor: These appointments tell me the following. The priority for Chinese President Xi's administration will be the economy, eradicating poverty and building up China's middle class, enhancing China’s global standing, and keeping relations with the U.S. at the status quo. The problem will be the U.S. relationship .... and U.S. measures to slash China's massive trade surplus because of imbalances in trade.

China Denies Setting Up A Military Hotline With The U.S. Over North Korea

© Thomas Peter / Reuters

Global Times: No plan for hotline between Chinese military and US forces in South Korea

Chinese military’s Northern Theater Command has not set up a hotline with US forces based in South Korea, an anonymous source told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The source rebuffed a report by the Japanese newspaper Asashi Shimbun on Monday claiming that a direct hotline would be installed between the Seoul headquarters of US forces in South Korea and the Chinese military’s Northern Theater Command based in Shenyang, Northeast China’s Liaoning province.

Read more ....

Update #1: Reports of US-China intelligence hotline over Korean crisis 'fake news' – state media (RT)
Update #2: Chinese Military Denies Setting Up Hotline on North Korea With US - Reports (Sputnik International)

WNU Editor: The Chinese were reacting to this report .... Washington and Beijing to establish military hotline on N. Korea (UPI). On a side note, the Chinese are not denying this report .... U.S., China to set up sanctions monitoring system on N. Korea (THE DONG-A ILBO).

President Trump To Accuse China Of 'Economic Aggression' On Monday's National Security Strategy Speech

U.S. President Donald Trump walks out from the White House in Washington, U.S., before his departure to Camp David, December 16, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Reuters: Trump to say in security speech that China is competitor: officials

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will lay out a new U.S. national security strategy on Monday based on his “America First” policy and will, among other items, make clear that China is a competitor, two senior U.S. officials said on Saturday.

Trump has praised Chinese President Xi Jinping while also demanding that Beijing increase pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program and to change trade practices to make them more favorable to the United States.

The national security strategy, to be rolled out in a speech by Trump, should not be seen as an attempt to contain China but rather to offer a clear-eyed look at the challenges China poses, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The strategy, which was still being drafted, may also reverse Democratic President Barack Obama’s declaration in September 2016 that climate change is a threat to security, one official said.

Read more ....

More News On President Trump's National Security Strategy Speech (On Monday) Where He Will Be Accusing China Of 'Economic Aggression'

Trump to accuse China of 'economic aggression' -- Financial Times
Trump to accuse China of 'economic aggression': Financial Times -- CNBC
Trump Starts New War Against China Over 'Economic Aggression' -- Newsweek
The next battle: Trump to take on China -- Axios

President Trump Will Be Making A State Visit To China In November

Straits Times/Bloomberg: Trump said to visit China in November amid North Korea spat

WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - United States President Donald Trump will visit China in November, a person familiar with his plans said, as tensions flare on the Korean peninsula due to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests.

White House officials declined to comment. Trump is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Association of South-east Asian Nations summits in Vietnam and the Philippines in November.

Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Trump to pay a state visit to China when the two leaders met for the first time at Trump's golf resort in Florida in April. During that meeting, Trump notified Xi that he had authorised air strikes on Syria over allegations of chemical-weapons use.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: All of my friends in China are saying the same thing about this visit .... the Chinese are going all out to impress President Trump on this visit. What's my take .... this is a state visit with all of the pomp and ceremony behind it .... expect a lot of pictures and video from the Great Hall of the People Building in Beijing between Xi and Trump.

Should The U.S. See China As Its ‘Number One’ Adversary?

The People's Republic of China flag and the U.S. Stars and Stripes fly along Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol in Washington during Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit, January 18, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Hyungwon Kang

John Grady, USNI News: Expert: U.S. Should See China as ‘Number One’ Adversary, Not Trading Partner

The People’s Republic China needs to be seen by the United States as its principal potential adversary in the years ahead, not as a commercial partner that America cannot live without, a leading expert on maritime issues said Wednesday.

Answering an audience question at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. Seth Cropsey, director of seapower programs at the Hudson institute, said, “China should be our Number One concern; it’s not.” He added that Chinese leaders want to restore it to the status of a great state, overcoming a 19th and early 20th-century history of European imperialism, “not only at sea, but especially at sea. They’ve invested a lot in satellite technology, in cyber technology, building a fleet” that potentially could be larger than the United States’ in the not-too-distant future.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I find these debates in the U.S. amusing for the simple reason that I know that the Chinese view the U.S. as their "number one" adversary .... especially in Asia and in international economics.

Chinese President Xi Calls President Trump To Discuss North Korea

L.A. Times: In phone call with Trump, China's Xi reiterates calls for calm

Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged restraint in a phone call with President Trump on Saturday, following a week of blustery rhetoric between North Korea and the U.S.

Xi warned that “concerned parties” should avoid “remarks and actions” that could escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula, according to the state-run New China News Agency. He reiterated China’s desire to work with the U.S., citing “common interests” in preserving stability in the region.

Trump understands China’s efforts to resolve the issue, the report said, and both leaders agreed to keep in close contact. The call took place late Friday evening on the East Coast.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The media narrative is that President Xi called President Trump calling for restraint. My read is different .... this was a very important phone call, and I believe he called President Trump to tell him that China has exhausted all measures in restraining North Korea, and that both China and the U.S. should now work together in formulating a new strategy.

More News On Chinese President Xi Calling President Trump To Discuss North Korea

In call with Trump, China's Xi urges restraint over North Korea -- Reuters
China's Xi calls for calm after Trump says U.S. is 'locked and loaded' -- CBC/AP
China's Xi Seeks to Calm North Korea Tensions in Trump Call -- Bloomberg
China's Xi Jinping urges calm in call with Donald Trump as US-North Korea tensions rise -- ABC News Online
Xi urges restraint from Trump in phone call on North Korea crisis -- South China Sea
Chinese President Xi calls for restraint over North Korea -- CNN
In phone call, Trump and Xi discuss a nuke-less Korean Peninsula -- FOX News
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping speak by phone amid US-North Korea tension -- Sydney Morning Herald
Chinese President warns Trump to tone down language after 'fire and fury' threats to North Korea -- The Independent

China Warns President Trump To Not 'Stab China In The Back'

Chinese UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi, UN Web TV

The Telegraph: China warns Trump over North Korea: ‘Don’t stab us in the back’

China has hit back at Donald Trump over North Korea, with a top official blaming Washington and Pyongyang for raising tensions, while state media warned the US not to “stab China in the back”.

The US president said in two angry tweets at the weekend that he was “very disappointed” with China and that he would no longer allow Beijing to “do nothing” over North Korea.

Mr Trump has long believed that China holds the key to forcing North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons programme, given that Beijing is Pyongyang’s only diplomatic backer and a key trading partner.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: My commentary from June 27 (No Progress Form China On North Korea) still holds ....

.... WNU Editor: Both countries are not on the same page when it comes to North Korea. North Korea may be a top priority for the U.S. .... New U.S. ambassador to China says North Korea a top priority (Reuters) .... but China's priority is the removal of THAAD .... China asked U.S. officials to remove THAAD from South Korea (UPI). My prediction .... When Trump and Xi met at Mar-a-Lago in April, China asked for and got a 100 day grace period over North Korea .... Report: Chinese President Xi Asked For A '100-Day Grace Period' On North Korea (May 22, 2017). We are now coming up on that 100 days .... and nothing has changed. My prediction .... we saw a glimpse of where the U.S. is going on China today .... U.S. Brands China as Among Worst Human Trafficking Offenders (US News and World Report/Reuters). But it is going to be on this issue that will raise the "hackles" in China .... Trump growing frustrated with China, weighs trade steps: officials (Reuters).

Bottom line .... the Chinese are now finally beginning to understand that President Trump is not like President Obama, and that this is an issue that can no longer be kicked down the road.

Beijing Outraged Over U.S. Arms Sales To Taiwan And Sanctions On Chinese Banks With Ties To North Korea

Washington Post: Taiwan arms sale, North Korea sanctions outrage Beijing in test of U.S.-China ties under Trump

BEIJING — Call it President Trump’s hamburger diplomacy.

On Friday, U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and a clutch of American cattlemen in 10-gallon hats gathered at a chic hotel in Beijing to sip champagne and celebrate the return of American beef after 14 years.

The cubes of U.S. cattle were the product of the 100-day plan negotiated when Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in April. Trump’s message then was: You help us rein in North Korea, and the rest is on the table in trade talks.

But the message is changing — and so is the mood.

Just hours before the ceremonial return of U.S. beef, the White House announced two moves that could spoil the U.S.-China party: the latest round of arms sales to Taiwan and fresh sanctions on North Korea that target a Chinese bank.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: First things first .... there was never a U.S.-China "honeymoon" as some in the press are claiming. Second .... the Chinese are claiming that this violates the consensus reached when President Xi met President Trump in April .... US decision to sell arms to Taiwan ‘violated consensus’ reached by Xi, Trump in Florida (South China Morning Post). What's my take .... everything was contingent on China reigning in North Korea .... and that has not happened. Third .... Washington is calling Beijing's bluff and China is reacting .... The Trump administration calls China’s bluff on North Korea (Josh Rogin, Washington Post). My prediction .... this is nothing in comparison to what is going to happen when the U.S. starts to impose tariffs and restrictions on Chinese imports. that is when the "shit is going to hit the fan".

More News On Beijing's Outrage Over U.S. Arms Sales To Taiwan And Sanctions On Chinese Banks With Ties To North Korea

US, China relations begin to cool as Trump's honeymoon with Xi ends -- CNN
US-China honeymoon over: Washington sanctions Chinese bank and sells arms to Taiwan -- The Guardian
US risks angering China as it blacklists bank over dealings with North Korea and sells weapons to Taiwan -- The Independent
US arms sales to Taiwan will hurt Beijing-Washington ties, says China ambassador -- The Straits Times
Donald Trump-Xi Jinping honeymoon over: US sells arms to Taiwan, sanctions Chinese bank over North Korea -- First Post
U.S. sanctions two Chinese men, shipping firm, over North Korea ties -- Reuters
Trump sanctions Chinese bank in bid to rein in North Korea -- CNN
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, new sanctions hurt mutual confidence: Chinese ambassador -- Xinhuanet
China strongly protests US arms sales to Taiwan -- SFChronicle/AP
China's envoy in Washington bemoans US arms sale to Taiwan -- DW
Ambassador: US decision to approve Taiwan arms undermines US-China relations -- CNN
Arms to Taiwan and Action Against a Chinese Bank: Is Trump's US-China 'Honeymoon' Over? -- The Diplomat

President Trump Will Consult China Before Speaking To Taiwan

© REUTERS/ Carlos Barria

South China Morning Post: Trump says he’ll talk to Xi Jinping first before engaging Taiwan’s leader Tsai Ing-wen

US president doesn’t want to ‘cause difficulty’ for Xi

US President Donald Trump said he would talk to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping first, when asked if he would speak again to Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen.

“My problem is that I have established a very good personal relationship with President Xi,” Trump was quoted by Reuters as saying in an interview in the White House.

“I really feel that he is doing everything in his power to help us with a big situation. So I wouldn’t want to be causing difficulty right now for him.”

“So I would certainly want to speak to him first.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Chinese are bragging about their close ties with President Trump .... Trump and Xi in "constant touch" as tensions rise: govt (AFP), and are even gloating about it's impact on U.S. - Taiwan relations .... Beijing gloats over Trump Taiwan snub (AFP).

More News On Reports That President Trump Will Consult China Before Speaking To Taiwan

Trump says he would consult with China's Xi before speaking to Taiwan -- CNN
Trump now says he would check with China before another call with Taiwan’s president -- Washington Post
Trump not open to another phone call with Taiwan's president, cites China -- Washington Examiner
Trump Says Good Ties With China More Important Than Taiwan Call -- Bloomberg
Trump Gives Into Chinese Pressure On Taiwan -- Sputnik
Why Won't Trump Talk To Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen? -- Shreesha Ghosh, IBTimes

China Offers "Concessions" To Avoid A Trade War With The U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump (3rdL) holds a bilateral meeting with China's President Xi Jinping (2ndR) at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., April 7, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Reuters: China offers concessions to avert trade war with U.S.: FT

China will offer the Trump administration better market access for financial sector investments and U.S. beef exports to help avert a trade war, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing officials familiar with the matter.

China is prepared to raise the investment ceiling in the Bilateral Investment treaty and is also willing to end the ban on U.S. beef imports, the newspaper also reported.

"China was prepared to (raise the investment ceilings) in the BIT but those negotiations were put on hold (after Trump's election victory)," the Financial Times also reported citing a Chinese official involved in the talks.

Read more ....

Update #1: Trade war averted as China and US agree 100-day plan (Financial Times)
Update #2: China Offers "Concessions" To Avoid Trade War As Trump Readies Anti-Dumping Probe (Zero Hedge).

WNU Editor: The Chinese government is throwing a "few bones" at the Trump administration to avert a trade war .... but they have to do better than lifting their restrictions on beef and opening their financial sector to investments .... a financial sector that also so happens to be on the verge of collapse due to bad debts. What President Trump wants is access to Chinese markets without the myriad of restrictions and paperwork that the Chinese like to employ when it comes to imports .... unfortunately .... being someone who has dealt with the Chinese for over 30 years .... I know that on this critical issue the Chinese are not going to budge.

The Trump-Xi Summit At Mar-A Lago -- News Roundup

New York Times: After Xi Leaves U.S., Chinese Media Assail Strike on Syria

BEIJING — With President Xi Jinping safely out of the United States and no longer President Trump’s guest, China’s state-run media on Saturday was free to denounce the missile strike on Syria, which the American president told Mr. Xi about while they were finishing dinner.

Xinhua, the state news agency, on Saturday called the strike the act of a weakened politician who needed to flex his muscles. In an analysis, Xinhua also said Mr. Trump had ordered the strike to distance himself from Syria’s backers in Moscow, to overcome accusations that he was “pro-Russia.”

That unflattering assessment reflected China’s official opposition to military interventions in the affairs of other countries. But it was also a criticism of Mr. Trump himself, who Mr. Xi had hoped was a man China could deal with.

Chinese officials had feared that the two leaders’ 24-hour encounter at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida might be marred by a campaign-style anti-China outburst from Mr. Trump. Instead, it was interrupted by the unexpected missile attack.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: As expected .... no breakthroughs. The next meeting will be in China .... Trump to visit China as Beijing touts 'new era' of ties with US (The Guardian) .... and I predict that it will be there that major announcements on trade and (maybe) North Korea will be made.

The Trump-Xi Summit At Mar-A Lago -- News Roundup

At U.S.-China summit, Trump presses Xi on trade, North Korea; progress cited -- Reuters
Little confrontation or progress in China-U.S. meeting -- CBC/AP
Trump, Xi cite 'common understandings' after summit, but few details -- UPI
Trump Hails ‘Tremendous’ Talks With China’s Xi -- VOA
Trump tweets: 'Time will tell' on trade with China -- Politico
Trump: ‘Only time will tell’ on improving US-China trade -- AP
China's President Xi gets an awkward front-row seat to U.S. military might -- L.A. Times
Xi, Trump set constructive tone for China-U.S. relationship: FM -- Xinhua
Chinese state media cheer Xi-Trump meeting, say confrontation not inevitable -- Reuters
Chinese State Media Cheer Gaffe-Free Xi-Trump Summit -- Newsweek
Trump-Xi Summit Accomplishment: Getting to Know One Another -- Bloomberg
Donald Trump's first meeting with Xi Jinping was all about business -- The Economist
Trump, Xi showdown fails to materialize at Mar-a-Lago -- McClatchy/AP
After Trump-Xi Summit, an Eye Toward the Future -- Andrew Soergel, US News and World Report
Leaders' differing agendas meant little progress made at US-China summit -- Bo Zhiyue, Channel News Asia
Four surprises from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago meeting with Xi -- Yves Tiberghien, Special to The Globe and Mail
Said and unsaid: the hits and misses of Xi-Trump talks in Mar-a-Lago -- South China Morning Post

President Trump's Son-In-Law is China's Back-Channel To The Administration

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets his daughter Ivanka and son in law Jared Kushner (R) at his election night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 9, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

New York Times: China Learns How to Get Trump’s Ear: Through Jared Kushner

WASHINGTON — When President Trump welcomes President Xi Jinping of China to his palm-fringed Florida club for two days of meetings on Thursday, the studied informality of the gathering will bear the handiwork of two people: China’s ambassador to Washington and Mr. Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The Chinese ambassador, Cui Tiankai, has established a busy back channel to Mr. Kushner, according to several officials briefed on the relationship. The two men agreed on the club, Mar-a-Lago, as the site for the meeting, and the ambassador even sent Mr. Kushner drafts of a joint statement that China and the United States could issue afterward.

Mr. Kushner’s central role reflects not only the peculiar nature of this first meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi, but also of the broader relationship between the United States and China in the early days of the Trump administration. It is at once highly personal and bluntly transactional — a strategy that carries significant risks, experts said, given the economic and security issues that already divide the countries.

While Chinese officials have found Mr. Trump a bewildering figure with a penchant for inflammatory statements, they have come to at least one clear judgment: In Mr. Trump’s Washington, his son-in-law is the man to know.

Read more ....

Update #1: China using Kushner, not State Dept., to sway Trump: report (The Hill)
Update #2: Inside the Kushner channel to China (Josh Rogin, Washington Post)

WNU Editor: Jared Kushner's wife is also playing a role .... Ivanka Trump plays major role In US-China relations (Raw Story/IBTimes). More here on Ivanka Trump .... Ivanka Trump – the US president’s new China charmer-in-chief (South China Morning Post).

This Chinese outreach to Jared Kushner does not surprise me .... the Chinese political establishment is based on strong personal and family relations that date back to the Communist revolution .... they understand the role that family plays in politics, and they are always exploiting it. With this background .... dealing with Jared Kushner is only going to be natural for them. More here .... Xi Jinping is currying favor with his fellow political princeling, Jared Kushner (Quartz).

Getting Ready For The U.S. - China Summit At Mar-a-Lago

South China Morning Post: Trump vs Xi: prepare for a clash of views on big global issues

When the first summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump goes ahead in Florida this week, it will set the stage for a clash of world views on a range of international issues from globalisation to free trade.

On globalization

Trump’s America-first agenda and desire to reduce the US’ global leadership comes as China is extending its reach around the world.

Just a few days before Trump’s inauguration in January, Xi told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that “just blaming economic globalisation for the world’s problems is inconsistent with reality, and it will not help solve the problems”.

Read more ....

More News On Preparations For The U.S. - China Summit At Mar-a-Lago

Trump summit will be only US stop for Xi, says Secret Service source -- South China Morning Post
China says U.S. trade orders should respect international rules -- Reuters
China downplays tensions with U.S. as Xi prepares to meet Trump -- Reuters
Senior Chinese, U.S. officials agree Xi-Trump meeting significant for bilateral ties -- Xinhuanet
North Korea will be 'most important' topic for Trump-Xi summit: U.S. envoy -- Yonhap News
Trump Talks Tough on U.S.-China Trade but Delays Real Action -- NYT
Xi Jinping’s summit plan to tame Donald Trump -- Financial Times
Why protocol still matters at Xi-Trump summit -- South China Morning Post
What to Expect From Trump, Xi Florida Meeting (Bloomberg)
Trump, Xi Jinping Probably Won't Be Golfing While Talking Trade At Mar-A-Lago Meeting (Audio) -- NPR
Why Trump's golf diplomacy won't work with China's Xi Jinping -- Steven Jiang, CNN
Expect a Positive First Trump-Xi Meeting at Mar-a-Lago -- The Diplomat

President Trump Expects His Meeting With Chinese President Xi At Mar-A-Lago Will Be A 'Very Difficult One'

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and US President Donald Trump © Reuters

The meeting next week with China will be a very difficult one in that we can no longer have massive trade deficits...

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

Reuters: Trump says trade gap will make China meeting 'a very difficult one'

U.S. President Donald Trump set the tone for a tense first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week by tweeting on Thursday that the United States could no longer tolerate massive trade deficits and job losses.

The White House said Trump would host Xi next Thursday and Friday at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida. It said Trump and his wife, Melania, would host Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at a dinner next Thursday.

In a tweet on Thursday evening, Trump said the highly anticipated meeting between the leaders of the world's two largest economies, which is also expected to cover differences over North Korea and China's strategic ambitions in the South China Sea, "will be a very difficult one."

"We can no longer have massive trade deficits and job losses," he wrote, adding in apparent reference to U.S. firms manufacturing in China: "American companies must be prepared to look at other alternatives."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: President Trump is right. China is dependent on having a trade surplus with the U.S. to finance its growth .... and any alteration in this arrangement will have dire consequences on its future plans and on the promises that the government has made to its civilians that in exchange for social peace, they will have jobs and a better standard of living.

U.S. President Donald Trump And Chinese President Xi Jinping Will Meet At Mar-a-Lago On April 6-7

Reuters: China's Xi to meet Trump in Florida next week

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold their first face-to-face talks next week, a highly anticipated meeting between leaders at odds over trade, China's strategic ambitions and how to deal with North Korea's weapons programs.

The White House said Trump would host Xi next Thursday and Friday at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida and "discuss global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual concern."

Trump and his wife Melania will host Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at a dinner next Thursday, a White House statement said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: They are not going to play golf .... Xi Jinping's 'War on Golf' Could Leave Donald Trump With No Sports Buddy (Newsweek).

More News On U.S. President Donald Trump And Chinese President Xi Jinping Will Be Meeting At Mar-a-Lago On April 6-7

China's Xi to meet Trump in Mar-a-Lago on April 6-7 -- AP
Chinese President Xi to visit Trump next week at Mar-a-Lago -- Politico
Trump to host China's President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago, and both men's wives will attend, the White House officially announces -- Daily Mail
Trump Will Host China's President In Florida On April 6 -- NPR
Trump to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago -- The Hill
How Chinese media are spinning Trump-Xi Palm Beach superpower summit -- Palm Beach Post

President Trump Plans To Host Chinese President Xi Jinping At The Mar-a-Lago Estate In Florida On April 6 And April 7

Axios: Scoop: Trump to host Xi at Mar-a-Lago

President Trump plans to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the gold-plated Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida next month for a lowering-the-temperature summit with vast economic and security implications, Axios has learned.

No golf is planned during the meeting of the globe's two superpowers — this will mostly be a working session, according to officials familiar with the planning. The tentative dates are Thursday afternoon, April 6, through Friday, April 7.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I suspect this is one of the reasons why U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is visiting China this week .... U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson To Visit Japan, South Korea and China. On a side note .... President Putin asked a few weeks ago that it would be best if he and President Trump meet as soon as possible .... Russian President Putin Wants To Meet President Trump In Slovenia (February 10, 2017) .... sorry .... but (for now) it looks like China is far more important to President Trump than Russia.

More News On Reports That President Trump Is Planning To Host Chinese President Xi Jinping At The Mar-a-Lago Estate In Florida On April 6 And April 7

Trump plans to host China's Xi in April at Florida resort: report -- Reuters
Trump planning to host Chinese president at Mar-a-Lago -- CNN
Donald Trump to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping - reports -- The Telegraph
Trump to host Chinese president at Mar-a-Lago: report -- The Hill
Where Is Mar-A-Lago? Trump May Host China’s Xi Jinping At ‘Southern White House’ -- IBTimes

China's Top Diplomat Meets President Trump At The White House

China Daily: Trump holds first meeting with senior Chinese official

The United States attaches great importance to cooperative relations with China, US President Donald Trump said on Monday in his first meeting with a senior Chinese official since his inauguration last month.

In their meeting at the White House, China's top diplomat, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Trump, who expressed his gratitude, and asked Yang to return his greetings to his Chinese counterpart, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry.

Yang, who is in the US on a two-day visit, said the phone call between Xi and Trump earlier this month is of great significance because it charted the course for the next phase in the development of the Sino-US relationship.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The meeting lasted only 7 minutes?!?!?! I am also sceptical of this .... Spicer on Trump's 'One China' agreement: 'The president always gets something' (Politico)

More News On China's Top Diplomat Meeting President Trump At The White House

Trump, China's top diplomat, discuss cooperation, possible Xi meeting -- Reuters
Trump meets with senior Chinese official, pledging to enhance high-level exchanges, cooperation -- CCTV
US-China relations: Trump meets senior official Yang Jiechi -- BBC
China's Top Diplomat Meets Trump as North Korea Worries Rise -- Bloomberg
Top China diplomat visiting US to discuss bilateral ties -- Straits Times
Top Chinese official visits White House, offer greetings to Trump -- Yonhap
Trump pledges to improve ties with China in brief White House meeting with senior Beijing official -- International Business Times
High-Ranking Chinese Envoy Visits Trump's Washington: What's on the Agenda? -- The Diplomat

China's Top Diplomat To Visit The U.S. For A Two Day Stay Starting Tomorrow

Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi delivers a speech at the Reception for the 45th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, October 25, 2016. REUTERS/Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool

Reuters: China's top diplomat to visit U.S. on Monday and Tuesday: Xinhua

China's top diplomat will visit the United States this week, the most senior Chinese official to do so since President Donald Trump took office on January 20, state news agency Xinhua said.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi would visit the United States on Monday and Tuesday, Xinhua said in a report published late on Sunday that quoted foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

Yang outranks China's foreign minister.

The visit follows a phone call between Yang and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week, during which the two affirmed the importance of a constructive U.S.-China relationship.

It was the latest step by the world's two largest economies to try to put relations back on an even keel after a rocky start following Trump's November election victory.

Read more ....

Update #1: Chinese state councilor to visit U.S. (Xinhuanet)
Update #2: China’s top diplomat on two-day mission to US (South China Morning Post)

WNU Editor: What will be discussed .... I expect both State Councilor Yang Jiechi and US Secretary of State Tillerson will continue the discussion that Presidents Xi and Trump had when they talked to each other last week. On the top of the list .... the usual topics .... economy and trade, North Korea. South China Sea, Taiwan, etc..

Russia And China Wants The U.S. To Join Them To Split Up The World

© Photo: pixabay

Sputnik: Lavrov Calls for Russia, China, US Developing Ties Together

Moscow supports building open and honest relations between the United States, China and Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Lavrov called for creating such a "triangle," adding that it would not be directed against any state.

"We would like to see Russia, the US and China to develop relations together. This triangle should not be closed and directed to projects that will alert other states," Lavrov told lower house of parliament lawmakers.

Read more ....

Update #1: Russian top diplomat confident Moscow, Washington, Beijing will build fair relations -- TASS
Update #2: China Voices Wish to Cooperate With Russia, US on Solving Global Issues -- Sputnik
Update #3: China backs idea of deepening cooperation with Russia, US -- TASS

WNU Editor: Welcome to the new world order.