U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will travel to China in April, marking a potential thaw in relations between Washington and Beijing. He added that Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit the United States toward the end of 2026.

Renewed Engagement Between Two Major Powers

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he was looking forward to meeting Xi, describing their relationship as positive and longstanding. “I look forward to seeing President Xi,” Trump said. “I’ve always had a great relationship with President Xi of China.”

The announcement signals renewed engagement between the world’s two largest economies after years of tension over trade, technology and global security. Diplomatic analysts view the reciprocal visits as an attempt to stabilise ties and rebuild cooperation following a period of strained communication.

Relations Improve After Years of Strain

Trump acknowledged that relations between Washington and Beijing had deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic but said they have since improved significantly. He credited the recent progress to strengthened trade ties and increased Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods.

“China is now buying large quantities of U.S. soybeans, which is great news for American farmers,” he said.

The upcoming visit is expected to cover key issues including trade, regional security and global economic stability. Both sides have expressed interest in reducing friction after several years of tariffs, sanctions and mutual accusations.

Diplomatic observers say the planned meetings could help reset the tone of the U.S.–China relationship, though challenges remain in areas such as technology, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.

with inputs from Reuters