Trump, Xi Seek ‘Partnership And Friendship’ In Rare Face-to-Face Meeting In South Korea

After a six-year hiatus, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in South Korea on Thursday (30 October), with Trump expressing optimism about forging a “fantastic relationship” despite heightened trade and strategic tensions between the two countries, NDTV reported.

"It's a great honor... I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time - and it's an honor to have you with us," Trump said.

The US President lauded Xi as “a great leader of a great country,” adding that both sides had already reached multiple agreements and were progressing toward further understandings.

"We've already agreed to a lot of things, and we'll agree to some more right now, but President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, and it's an honour to have you with us," Trump said.

In response, Xi Jinping urged cooperation over confrontation, acknowledging differences but stressing that China and the US should be "partners and friends.”

"China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said.

Ahead of the summit, officials from both sides confirmed a preliminary framework addressing mutual concerns.

Trump described the progress as a “great outcome for the world".

Talks between the two leaders were expected to span trade, technology, and critical minerals—particularly rare earth elements vital for electronics and defence industries.

China recently tightened export rules on these materials after the US blacklisted several Chinese firms.

This marks the two leaders' first direct interaction since the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, where trade and economic disputes dominated talks.

At that time, Xi emphasised win-win cooperation, while Trump assured no further tariffs on Chinese goods.

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