Trump to Meet Xi in China: Major Geopolitical Shift Unfolds

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Washington and Beijing Working to Finalize Dates for High-Level Summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping

By TRH Global Affairs Desk

NEW DELHI, July 12, 2025 — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Friday that President Donald Trump has received a formal invitation to visit China, suggesting a potential thaw in Washington-Beijing ties amid ongoing tariff tensions and global diplomatic recalibrations.

Speaking at a press conference following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta, Rubio said, “President Trump’s been invited to visit China. It’s a visit he wants to undertake, and so we’ll work on finding the right date for that, but I’m sure it’ll happen because both presidents want it to happen.”

The announcement follows a “very productive” meeting between Secretary Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the summit. Though not a negotiation, Rubio described the talks as “positive and constructive,” emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue to bring “stability to our relationship.”

Rebuilding Bridges amid Global Headwinds

The proposed summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping comes at a crucial juncture, with the US poised to implement a new round of global tariffs starting August 1. Rubio defended the tariffs during the press conference, asserting they were not targeted at any one country but were necessary to address decades of trade imbalances.

“These tariffs are being applied on a global scale,” Rubio said. “They’re not aimed at one country or region. The US has run unsustainable trade deficits around the world – in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and here in Asia. That had to be addressed.”

He added that there remains a window for individual countries to negotiate terms ahead of the August 1 deadline.

ASEAN Engagement and Regional Deliverables

Rubio also highlighted key outcomes from the ASEAN engagement, noting progress on civil nuclear cooperation and defence agreements. The US signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysia on civil nuclear development and announced plans for elevated bilateral relations with multiple regional partners.

Cybersecurity was a central theme across his meetings with ASEAN counterparts. Rubio stressed the need for collective action against scams and cybercriminals, calling for secure digital platforms as the region becomes a hub for future global economic growth.

“Two-thirds of global growth over the next 25 to 30 years is going to happen right here in Southeast Asia, much of it on digital platforms,” he said. “These platforms must be secure from cybercriminals and nation-state actors.”

A ‘Very Positive’ Trip and Looking Ahead

Rubio characterized the US participation in the ASEAN meetings as highly successful, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Vietnam and underscoring strong regional goodwill toward Washington.

He declined to disclose details of a separate discussion held earlier with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov but maintained that US diplomacy in the region is guided by constructive engagement and shared values.

With details of the Trump-Xi summit being finalized, Rubio’s comments set the stage for a significant high-level engagement that could reshape US-China relations and influence the wider Asia-Pacific geopolitical landscape.

A leaders’ summit is also expected in October, which Rubio said he hopes will be “positive and productive.”

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