Trump and Xi begin talks after lavish welcome in China


BBC | Published: November 09, 2017 09:53:07 | Updated: November 10, 2017 10:20:15


US President Donald Trump and US first lady Melania visit the Forbidden City with China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, November 8, 2017. Reuters

US President Donald Trump has begun talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, following his lavish welcome to the Chinese capital.

Mr Trump is expected to raise how China can rein in North Korea's nuclear aims, an issue dominating his Asia tour.

The US wants China, Pyongyang's main ally, to apply further pressure, but Beijing says it is doing enough.

The leaders of the world's two largest economies are also expected to discuss their trade deficit.

Earlier in the five-nation trip, Mr Trump urged North Korea to make a deal to end its nuclear weapons programme, while also warning it against further provocation against the US and the world, saying: "Do not try us."

He also urged China to sever ties with Pyongyang and reiterated calls for Beijing to ramp up pressure. China has maintained it is doing all it can and insists it is fully enforcing UN sanctions.

The US leader will also meet business leaders and will attend a state dinner later on Thursday.

Mr Trump flew into Beijing on Wednesday and was greeted with great pomp and ceremony, in what was billed as a "state visit-plus".

It prompted at least two tweets from Mr Trump where he enthusiastically thanked Mr Xi.

Mr Trump has tweeted at least four times since arriving in China - where Twitter is banned. But a White House official told reporters that he would "tweet whatever he wants".

Mr Trump is in China as part of a five-nation tour of Asia. He has already visited South Korea and Japan, and will go on to Vietnam and the Philippines later in the week.

What's Trump done so far in Asia?

He's warned North Korea to "not try" the US and the world.

But he also called on Pyongyang to "come to the tabln e" for a disarmament deal.

He said Japan and South Korea will be buying US military equipment which could shoot down Pyongyang's missiles - the two countries said they are considering it.

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