Washington: In a candid admission that has reignited discussions on global espionage, US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that China actively spies on the United States, but quickly added that Washington does the exact same to Beijing.
The blunt remarks come just days ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s highly anticipated state visit to the US. Addressing the media, Trump asserted that he plans to discuss “almost everything” with his Chinese counterpart during their upcoming bilateral talks to address ongoing geopolitical concerns.
According to the official schedule, President Xi will arrive in the United States on September 23, 2026, and is slated to hold a formal meeting with President Trump at the White House on September 24. This upcoming summit follows Trump’s visit to China earlier this year in June, a trip the US President had previously described as highly positive.
Beyond US-China relations, Trump touched upon a variety of pressing domestic and international issues while speaking aboard Air Force One during his return trip from Ireland.
When questioned about the 2028 US Presidential Election and whether he would officially endorse his current Vice President, JD Vance, Trump chose to keep his cards close to his chest. “There is still a lot of time left,” Trump responded. “We have many good options; Vance is one of them, and they are all very good.” Currently, Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are widely regarded in political circles as the frontrunners for the next Republican presidential nomination.
The US President also weighed in on the ongoing trade frictions with neighbouring Canada. Characterising the diplomatic and economic negotiations, Trump remarked that dealing with Canada is “the most difficult task,” but boldly added that “they are very desperate to deal with us.”
Shifting focus to the Middle East, Trump brushed off concerns regarding recent diplomatic shifts in the region, stating bluntly that he does not care if other Gulf nations are holding meetings with Iran.
As the White House prepares to host the Chinese delegation next week, all eyes remain on how the Trump administration will navigate the complex web of trade, security, and mutual espionage issues with President Xi.