Trump’s China Rhetoric Turns Positive

A rundown of the news making headlines in and around China:

Trump on China: After making multiple references to slapping tariffs on China in his first days back in office, U.S. President Donald Trump struck a positive tone about his Chinese counterpart at the World Economic Forum. Speaking via video link to the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, the leader said he liked President Xi Jinping “very much” and looked forward to getting along with and “doing very well with China.” Trump called the U.S.’ trade deficit with China “massive” and “ridiculous,” but clarified that Washington just wants a level of playing field. He also expressed hope that the two countries could work together to end the Russia-Ukraine war, as Beijing has “a great deal of power over the situation.” Earlier this week, Trump said his administration was discussing a fentanyl-related 10% punitive duty on Chinese imports and threatened tariffs if Beijing does not approve a potential future deal between the U.S. and TikTok.