President Donald Trump sparked fresh speculation about his fraught relationship with China after he abruptly refused to answer reporters' questions following a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
The unusual exchange unfolded after Trump emerged from a closed-door, two-hour summit with Xi during what has been described as one of the most politically sensitive US–China meetings in years.
According to reports, the president appeared visibly uneasy as journalists shouted questions about Taiwan and the increasingly fragile relationship between the two global superpowers.
When reporters asked Trump how the meeting had gone, the 79-year-old president offered only a brief response: 'China is beautiful.' He thenignored repeated questionsasking whether Taiwan had been discussed during the talks.
The awkward moment quickly went viral online, with critics claiming Trump looked 'rattled' and unusually subdued compared to his normally combative interactions with the press. Supporters, however, argued the president was simply avoiding publicly escalating tensions with Beijing during a delicate diplomatic visit.
Xi reportedly issueda stark warning to Trump over Taiwanduring the summit, cautioning that US interference in the self-governed island could lead to 'clashes and even conflicts' between the two nations. Beijing considers Taiwan part of China, while the United States maintains close military and economic ties with the island.
Xi reportedly told Trump that the U.S.-China relationship is 'the most important bilateral relationship in the world' and stressed that the two countries should remain 'partners' rather than 'rivals.'
Despite the tense backdrop,Trump repeatedly praised Xiduring the visit, calling him 'a great leader' during public remarks earlier in the day.
'Sometimes people don't like me saying it, but I say it anyway because it's true,' Trump said. 'I only say the truth.'
Trump to Xi: You’re a great leader—I say it to everybody. Sometimes people don’t like me saying it. I say it anyway because it’s true. I always say the truth.China has won the 21st century while America is busy fighting Israel's wars.pic.twitter.com/8Tu9YTYhd0
Source: International Business Times UK
