President Donald Trump criticized ‘Fake News’ reports claiming he is in search of a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid rising trade tensions between the two nations.

Trump even revealed on his Truth Social platform that Xi has already extended a personal invitation for him to visit China.

‘The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a ‘Summit’ with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything!’ Trump wrote. 

‘I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended.’

He added: ‘Otherwise, no interest!’

This strong denial comes as top economic representatives from both countries convened privately in Stockholm for the latest session of challenging negotiations aiming to avert a trade war re-emergence.

The discussions, spearheaded by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, aim to extend a delicate truce on harsh tariffs that, if not renewed, could unsettle global markets and disrupt supply chains across various industries.

Trump’s public rebuke of the media coincides with behind-the-scenes moves that suggest preparations for a high-stakes Trump-Xi summit are already underway, despite his insistence to the contrary. 

US negotiators are pushing to lock in a 90-day extension to the tariff pause, while also exploring deeper cooperation on issues ranging from fentanyl precursors to rare earth minerals, tech export controls, and China’s oil purchases from Russia and Iran.

Trade insiders say the groundwork being laid in Stockholm could culminate in a fall meeting between the two leaders – a summit Trump has not confirmed, but acknowledges could occur by invitation.

The latest round of US-China trade talks – the third this year after meetings in Geneva and London, took place at Sweden’s Rosenbad government offices, where officials spent more than five hours in tense deliberations Monday, with talks set to resume Tuesday.

While both sides have played down expectations, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hinted at long-term goals beyond mere tariff extensions.

‘What I expect is continued monitoring and groundwork for enhanced trade,’ Greer told CNBC, noting the need to ‘ensure critical minerals are flowing’ and that the fragile détente holds.

Behind closed doors, however, officials are grappling with far more combustible issues. 

The US wants Beijing to ease its grip on rare earth minerals vital to everything from electric vehicles to military hardware, while China is demanding concessions on US tech export controls – especially restrictions on high-performance AI chips and defense-adjacent components.

Both sides are keenly aware that without a breakthrough, US tariffs could snap back to 145% on Chinese goods by August 12. 

With Beijing responding with its own retaliatory measures of up to 125%, the threat of a new global trade shock looms large.

The prospect of a Trump-Xi summit has been rumored  for weeks, especially after Trump struck a surprise trade deal with the European Union over the weekend.

The Financial Times reported Monday that the US paused further curbs on tech exports to China to support Trump’s diplomatic overtures.

Trump’s own admission that Xi has extended a formal invitation suggests momentum is building toward a face-to-face – despite his attempt to cast himself as disinterested.

Former U.S. trade negotiator Wendy Cutler warned that while an extension of tariff pauses ‘should be the easy part,’ broader progress will be difficult. 

‘Beijing will not buy into a one-sided deal this time around,’ she said, noting that China is now a ‘large and confident partner’ with ample leverage. 

Indeed, Beijing is expected to demand progress on issues like Washington’s export controls, sanctions over Taiwan, and the fentanyl crisis – where Trump has accused China of ‘poisoning’ American communities by allowing synthetic opioid precursors to reach U.S. consumers.

Adding complexity, US senators from both parties are preparing legislation this week targeting China on human rights, Taiwan, and tech surveillance, moves likely to provoke Beijing and raise the stakes of any talks.

At the heart of the negotiations is a decades-old standoff over structural imbalances. 

Trump wants China to reduce overcapacity in key sectors like steel and EVs while increasing domestic consumption, a major sticking point since China’s economic model relies on export dominance.

Meanwhile, Beijing wants greater access to US markets and investment freedom including buying American aircraft, soybeans, and parts, in exchange for scaling back its own retaliatory tariffs.

Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, said the Stockholm talks offer a rare window for both governments to realign.

‘A lot of the things that the U.S. wants, the Chinese want as well,’ Stein said. ‘But any real deal will require a meeting between Trump and Xi.’