Xi urges Trump to end ‘retaliation cycle,’ focus on long-term gains

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China prefers “long-term mutual benefits” over continuous retaliation in its relations with the United States, following high-level talks with President Donald Trump in the South Korean port city of Busan. The meeting marked the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders in six years, as both countries attempt to ease friction in global trade.

Call for cooperation, not confrontation

According to Chinese state media, Xi urged Washington to “avoid a vicious cycle of retaliation” and instead focus on the broader advantages of cooperation between the world’s two largest economies. He said that both sides should pursue “positive engagement” not only in economic matters but also in regional and international affairs, particularly within the Asia-Pacific framework.

Trade talks reach initial understanding

Xi noted that the economic and trade teams of China and the US had conducted detailed discussions, reaching a “consensus on problem-solving approaches.” He added that these teams will continue narrowing areas of dispute while broadening fields of cooperation — an approach aimed at stabilizing the global economy, which has been shaken by years of tariffs and countermeasures.

China’s reform and global engagement

Reaffirming China’s economic direction, Xi said Beijing remains committed to “deepening comprehensive reform” and expanding its openness to global markets. “China does not seek to challenge or replace any country,” he said, expressing confidence in the nation’s ability to manage various risks and challenges ahead.

APEC backdrop and future diplomacy

The Busan meeting came ahead of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, hosted in Gyeongju, South Korea. Both leaders attended regional engagements before their private talks. The renewed dialogue between Washington and Beijing is being watched closely in Türkiye and other global capitals, given its potential to reshape international trade balances and economic stability.

Xi, Trump, China, trade, APEC