Trump says US and China nearing a ‘good deal’, links agreement to meeting with Xi

US President Donald Trump, hailing his “good relationship” with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, said on Tuesday that a deal with China was taking shape, a week after officials from both countries concluded talks on tariffs in Sweden.

“It’s not imperative, but I think we’re going to make a good deal … I won’t meet with China if we don’t make a deal. We are getting along with China very well … I have a very good relationship with President Xi,” Trump told CNBC.

He also said in the interview that China was very reliant on the US and that he did not ask for a meeting with Xi.

“They had a thing that Donald Trump really wanted to go there. No, it’s a 18-hour flight. It’s a long flight,” he said, referring to the travel time from Washington to Beijing.

“I’ll end up having a meeting before the end of the year, most likely, if we make a deal,” he added.

“At some point in the not too distant future, I will.”

Upon the conclusion of the Stockholm meeting, Chinese officials said that both sides agreed to extend the pause on new tariff hikes, which is set to end on August 12. A week later, however, the Trump administration has yet to formally confirm the extension.