Donald Trump is headed to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping, while he made a series of strong statements to reporters at the White House, including on Iran, China and the international situation. The US president said that the United States and China are “the two superpowers of the world,” accompanying this statement with positive tones about relations with Beijing, on the eve of his visit.
However, Trump also stopped at Iran, declaring that “the leaders of Tehran will either do the right thing, or we will finish the job”. He added that the US “has Iran under complete control” and warned that “either a deal will be reached, or they will be destroyed”. “Iran cannot have nuclear weapons”, he stressed, adding that the parties “have agreed on this”, but according to him the reality does not yet match what has been communicated.
Trump also praised Pakistan's role, describing its officials as "wonderful mediators" in diplomatic efforts. Speaking of Chinese President Xi Jinping, he said he expected a visit to the United States by the end of the year and added that he would like to see the new White House banquet hall completed by then.
He said he would have a long discussion with Xi Jinping about the war in Iran, but added that he did not believe China would help Washington resolve the crisis in the Middle East.
At another point in his remarks, Trump reacted sharply to a journalist who questioned the costs of the banquet hall project, calling him “a stupid person.” According to international media reports, including the South China Morning Post, First Lady Melania Trump will not accompany the president on this visit to China.
