President Donald Trump entered a second day of talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Friday hoping to strike deals on trade and jobs after an overnight show of strength in Syria.

The start of the summit came on a night of high drama as Trump not only met his nearest peer in economic world power for the first time but also launched his first military strike on a state target.

Although China is not implicated in the Syrian war, Trump will have been keen to appear resolute and decisive as the rivals size each other up and spar over trade and North Korea.

In another boost to his stature, the summit in the sun was held against the backdrop of the US leader's own lavish Mar-a-Lago golf resort, which Trump styles as the "Winter White House."

The US leader appeared confident when Xi arrived at the Florida venue, even hazarding a joke about his own reputation as a dealmaker.

"We had a long discussion already. So far, I have gotten nothing. Absolutely nothing," he said to laughs from the delegation.

"But I can see that, I think long-term, we are going to have a very, very great relationship and I look very much forward to it."

Trump's barnstorming presidential campaign last year appeared to set him on course for conflict with China, which he accused of rigging forex markets and cheating at trade to steal American jobs.

But he has moderated his tone since his election and he welcomed the 63-year-old Chinese leader to Mar-a-Lago's ornate dining room with an open agenda designed to enable the pair build a rapport.

Trump's grandson and granddaughter sang a traditional Chinese ballad -- "Jasmine Flower" -- and recited poetry for their honored guests, according to Chinese state media.

And the Chinese leader has plans to reciprocate the American hospitality, according to the official news agency Xinhua, which reported that Xi invited Trump to a state visit in China later this year.

But the start of the Florida summit was partly overshadowed by Trump's decision to launch a volley of cruise missiles to punish Syria for an alleged nerve agent attack that killed dozens of civilians.

Trump informed the Chinese leader personally of the strike and Chinese officials later warned against a "further deterioration" of the situation in Syria.

- Trade and jobs -

Xi and his wife are not staying at Mar-a-Lago, but at a resort a short drive down the palm-fringed coast that is, for now, watched by government snipers, tactical units and a coastguard cutter.

The two leaders were joined Thursday evening by US first lady and former model Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan -- a celebrated folk singer whom Trump hailed as a "great, great celebrity."

Xi had arrived at the meeting with a gift of "tweetable deliverables," sources said -- peace offerings on Trump's signature issues -- trade and jobs -- that he hopes will smooth ties.

At the top of the list, according to a source briefed on Xi's plans, will be a package of Chinese investments aimed at creating more than 700,000 American jobs -- the same number China's regional rival Japan pledged to Trump during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Mar-a-Lago visit in February.

In return, Xi hopes to obtain assurances from Trump on punitive tariffs and the delay of an American arms sale to Taiwan, at least until after a major Communist Party meeting later this year.

Trump's position on democratically ruled Taiwan -- which China considers a breakaway province -- has been an major irritant since he accepted a protocol-breaking phone call from the Taiwanese president after his election victory.

- Unrelenting scandal -

The summit stakes, both domestic and international, are high.

If mishandled, disagreements over approaches to North Korea or bilateral trade could destabilize Northeast Asia or tank the global economy.

On the domestic political front, Xi is preparing for a party congress that could cement his grip on power for years to come, and needs to show he can deal with the US leader as an equal.

He "cannot afford to lose face while China aspires to be the new center of gravity for the world order," China political analyst Willy Lam said.

Meanwhile, Trump -- reeling from legislative defeats, low approval ratings and unrelenting scandals -- desperately needs a win.

On the US side, however, North Korea will likely top the agenda following Wednesday's provocative missile launch.

The Trump White House is worried Pyongyang is just months away from marrying nuclear and long-range missile technology to put the US West Coast within striking distance.

The timing of Thursday's attack on Syria, during Trump's meeting with Xi, will probably give weight to Washington's threats to deal with North Korea's nuclear and missile programs unilaterally if necessary.

Although Beijing has condemned the missile tests, it has hesitated to take serious action against Pyongyang, fearing that the country's collapse would generate a flood of refugees across its borders and leave the US military on its doorstep.

Tweet

US agrees to ChemChina's $43 bn takeover of Syngenta
Beijing (AFP) April 5, 2017
US authorities have agreed to the $43 billion takeover of Swiss pesticide giant Syngenta by state-owned ChemChina, marking the biggest overseas acquisition by a Chinese firm. The move lays the path for what would be the latest in a string of foreign investments by Chinese firms fuelled by Beijing's call for its companies to "go out" and expand. It also comes days before a meeting between ... read more

Related Links
Global Trade News

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only