Trump and Xi trying to ‘put out the fire’published at 03:43 GMT
Today’s meeting between Xi and Trump is an “enormously helpful” step for China and the US to move on from rancour towards a more predictable relationship, Frank Lavin, a former undersecretary at the US Department of Commerce.
“Both leaders signalled with their opening statements that they do want to take issues off the table… and at least get relations back on an even keel,” said Lavin, speaking to the BBC’s Newsday programme.
Lavin says he observed how Trump, at the start of their meeting, praised Xi while the Chinese leader carried himself with “dignity and professionalism”.
“I took a signal from that that he (Trump) believes he is a bit on the backfoot and he wants to signal some goodwill towards Xi to try and get some resolution to the issues he’s put forward,” Lavin says.
“Trump sort of lit the fire if you will, and Xi responded in kind, and now both sides are going to sit down and see if they can put out the fire they themselves started,” he says.