Trump-Xi meeting LIVE updates: Trump shakes hands with ‘tough negotiator’ as Xi says China and MAGA go ‘hand in hand’

Xi made a few further remarks before the press was asked to leave the room so the meeting could continue behind closed doors.

He made clear that a meeting between Chinese and US trade negotiators in Malaysia at the weekend, where they agreed to a framework consensus for de-escalating trade tensions, had “provided the necessary conditions for our meeting today”.

Xi also noted Trump’s efforts to secure peace in key conflict zones, and said China was also playing a role.

Xi noted that the world was facing many tough problems.Credit: AP

“Mr President, you care a lot about world peace, and you’re very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues. I appreciate your great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement,” Xi said.

“During your visit to Malaysia, you witnessed the signing of the joint declaration on peace along the Cambodia-Thailand border, to which you had provided input.

“China has been helping in our own way Cambodia and Thailand properly settle their border disputes, and we’ve also been promoting peace talks to resolve other hotspot issues.”

He finished his remarks by saying that the world was facing many tough problems.

“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. I look forward to exchanging views with you on questions important for our two countries and the world.”