China confirms President Xi's April 6-7 meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in China — (Image credit: Mark Schiefelbein/AFP/Getty Images)

China's foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that President Xi Jinping will travel to Florida April 6-7 for his first meeting with President Trump. The leaders of the world's largest and second-largest economies will meet at Trump's private club, Mar-a-Lago, where Trump also hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in February. Unlike Abe, Xi will not stay at Mar-a-Lago, Lantana Police Chief Sean Scheller said on Monday, before the long-expected meeting was officially confirmed. Instead, China's president will be staying at the Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa.

Xi will arrive in the U.S. after a state visit to Finland, China said. In Florida, Xi and Trump are likely to discuss trade, North Korea's nuclear aggression, and China's military buildup in the disputed South China Sea, among other topics. Trump was harshly critical of China on the campaign trail and right after his election, but has toned down his criticism since taking office.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.