Arriving in Beijing amid fanfare and diplomatic pomp, US President Donald Trump has begun a three-day official visit punctuated by a ceremonial welcome and visible public enthusiasm.
The centerpiece of his trip will be talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where leaders are expected to tackle the ongoing trade war and broader concerns about the stability of the global economy.
This marks Mr. Trump’s return to China since his 2017 visit.
Speaking to the press in Washington before departure, he said bluntly that anyone who argues Iran should be allowed to possess nuclear weapons is ‘a foolish person.’
He reiterated that America seeks a good, mutually beneficial deal with Iran and voiced confidence such an arrangement would serve both countries’ interests, while issuing a stark warning that ‘victory against Iran will be ours, whether peacefully or otherwise.’
Mr. Trump said he will engage in in-depth discussions with President Xi on the Iran crisis and the surrounding regional dynamics, though he insisted the United States does not require China’s assistance on the matter.
He also singled out Pakistan for praise, saying the country played an outstanding role in the negotiations, and lauding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir as remarkable figures whose mediation efforts were excellent.