Trump says China and the US can work together to solve all the world's problems

(CLO) US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday made a hopeful statement about US-China relations, saying that the two powers can cooperate to solve all global problems.

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Mr. Trump stressed that although his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping has become strained after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, he still believes that China and the US can cooperate to solve all global problems.

"China and the United States could solve every problem in the world together, if you think about it," Trump said, praising his personal relationship with Xi, calling him "a great guy."

Photo: GI

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Beijing that Beijing hopes the new US administration will "make the right choice" and work with China to overcome obstacles and disruptions in bilateral relations.

Mr. Wang also stressed that China "resolutely opposes the US's illegal and unreasonable suppression of China" and will respond firmly to interference in China's internal affairs.

But the relationship remains challenging. Trump has previously criticized China over trade and the flow of fentanyl into the United States, and has pledged to impose higher tariffs on Chinese goods during his second term. He has even taken tougher measures, including threatening to impose a 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods and ending China’s most-favored-nation trade status.

Also at the press conference, Mr. Trump said he had extended an invitation to President Xi to attend his inauguration in January, although sources said Mr. Xi was unlikely to attend. "I would love to invite him, but nothing much has been discussed," Mr. Trump said, while emphasizing the positive relationship between the two leaders in the past.

The invitation reflects Mr Trump’s desire to maintain “open dialogue” with both US allies and adversaries. However, analysts say that while Mr Trump may make diplomatic moves towards China, confronting Beijing will remain the focus of his presidency.

After the press conference, Mr. Trump met with TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi at Mar-a-Lago. The meeting came as TikTok is appealing an emergency order to the U.S. Supreme Court over a possible ban on the app if the company fails to find a non-Chinese buyer by January 19.

In an earlier press conference, Mr. Trump said he was willing to block a ban on TikTok, while expressing support for the app because of the positive impact it had on his campaign, especially among young voters.

Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters, SCMP, Daily Guardian)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-trump-noi-trung-quoc-va-my-co-the-hop-tac-de-giai-quyet-moi-van-de-cua-the-gioi-post326026.html