On April 6-7, 2017, President Trump hosted President Xi Jinping of China at Mar-a-Lago for the first meeting between the two leaders. The meetings covered a number of important topics including economic and trade issues, and the two presidents “agreed to work in concert to expand areas of cooperation while managing differences based on mutual respect.” President Trump raised serious concerns about the Chinese government’s intervention in its economy and its impact on U.S. jobs and exports. President Trump also stressed the need for China to level the playing field and provide reciprocal market access for U.S. industries. President Xi expressed confidence about the bright future of U.S.-China trade and economic cooperation and welcomed U.S. cooperation within the framework of the “One Belt One Road” Initiative, China’s new trade network proposed by President Xi in 2013, which aims to connect China with other Asian countries, Europe, and Africa along the ancient inland Silk Road and the new maritime Silk Road.

In meetings between top officials at Mar-a-Lago, U.S. representatives reportedly conveyed primary objectives including a reduction of the U.S. trade deficit with China and to increase U.S. opportunities in the Chinese market in order to further balance the bilateral trade.

The two presidents concluded the meetings with an agreement to elevate existing bilateral talks, and a 100-day plan for trade talks. The U.S. wants to increase U.S. exports and to reduce the trade deficit with China through the talks, according to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Secretary Ross also stressed that if no “tangible results” are achieved within the first 100 days, the U.S. will re-examine whether to continue to participate.