Trump: "Xi Jinping and his wife will arrive on the 24th... I will host a state dinner"

[Financial News]  

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 4th (local time) that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife will arrive in the United States on the 24th.
Trump made the remarks during a signing ceremony at the White House for an executive order concerning beef processors and cattle ranchers. He said he would host a state dinner when Xi arrives.
The remarks appear to reflect a clear willingness to improve relations with China, despite sharp differences between the two countries over issues including competition in artificial intelligence (AI) and disputes surrounding the blockade and sanctions against Iran. With the November 3 midterm elections just around the corner and voters turning away amid soaring fuel prices caused by the war in Iran, Trump appears to be seeking a breakthrough through a U.S.-China summit.
Asked by reporters what message such a dinner would send to allies while China is a friend of Iran and the United States is seeking to punish countries supporting Iran, he avoided giving a definitive answer. Instead, he said, "China is barely involved in the war in Iran," adding, "I have a good relationship with President Xi."
He continued, "China gets 50% of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, so it could have become more involved if it wanted to," emphasizing that China sees no need to do so because more alternatives, including pipelines that bypass the strait, are becoming available.
The leaders of the two countries will hold talks at the White House on the 24th. It will be about four months after the U.S.-China summit in Beijing last May.
The upcoming dinner is reciprocal in nature. Trump previously attended a state dinner hosted by Xi Jinping in Beijing.
[email protected] Song Kyung-jae Reporter