Trump Discussed North Korea, Taiwan with Xi in Beijing Summit

By Song Sang-ho

BEIJING, May 16 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he discussed North Korea with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their summit in Beijing this week, as he has expressed his desire to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Trump made the remarks in a meeting with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington after a three-day visit to Beijing.

"I did," he said, responding to a question about whether he talked about North Korea during his meeting with Xi.

"You know, I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong-un. He's been pretty quiet," he added.

Asked if he has had any communications with Kim, Trump said, "Yes."

He did not comment on what kind of communications he had with the North Korean leader.

"(It) doesn't matter. I don't tell you about that, but I have a good relationship with him. He's been respectful of our country," he said.

It remains uncertain exactly what he and Xi discussed about North Korea. But in the lead-up to the Beijing summit, speculation lingered that Trump could ask for China's assistance to facilitate the resumption of diplomacy with the reclusive regime.

After the Trump-Xi summit, China's state media reported that the two sides exchanged views on important international and regional issues, including those concerning the Korean Peninsula.

Trump also said he talked a lot about Taiwan with Xi, and that he does not think there is a conflict on the issue. China regards the self-governing democracy as part of its territory.

"On Taiwan, (Xi) feels very strongly. I made no commitment," he said.

The president noted that he and Xi discussed arms sales to Taiwan "in great detail."

"I will be making decisions. I think the last thing we need right now is a war that's 9,500 miles away," he said without elaborating further on those decisions.

Asked if the U.S. will defend Taiwan in case of an attack, Trump refused to answer the question, but stressed that he is "the only person that knows that."

"That question was asked to me today by President Xi, and I said, 'I don't talk about that,'" he said.

On Iran, Trump said he was OK with ⁠Iran suspending ⁠its nuclear program for 20 years, underscoring that there has to ⁠be a "real" ⁠commitment ⁠from Tehran.

Last month, Trump said there was no 20-year limit, reiterating that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

In addition, he said he discussed Chinese oil companies sanctioned for buying Iranian oil during talks with Xi, and that he will decide whether to lift the sanctions in the next few days.

On the economic front, Trump said China has agreed to buy over 200 Boeing aircraft, with a promise to buy up to 750 planes.

On Friday, Trump wrapped up his trip to Beijing. His visit this week marked the first trip to China by a sitting U.S. president since 2017.