Xi tells Trump: US-China competition should be race, not wrestling match

President Xi Jinping of China and President Donald Trump of the United States held talks at the White House, with both leaders underscoring the importance of avoiding confrontation and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, Xi articulated China's vision for the US-China relationship, arguing that competition between the two countries should follow the principles of fair play. "This should be a race, not wrestling," Xi said, using a metaphor to describe his preference for competition that does not result in a winner-take-all outcome.

The Chinese president's remarks reflected Beijing's long-standing position that bilateral competition need not be destructive. Rather than viewing the relationship as inherently adversarial, Xi suggested that both nations could engage in healthy rivalry while maintaining cooperative frameworks in areas of mutual interest.

The White House meeting marked a significant diplomatic engagement between the two leaders as they sought common ground on contentious issues. Both sides emphasized the need for dialogue and practical cooperation to manage their differences and prevent escalation of tensions that could impact regional and global stability.