Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that Beijing and Washington should be "partners and friends," as the two leaders met for a photo-op at the Gimhae Air Base in Busan, South Korea, before their meeting over trade and tariffs. This is the first time the two leaders are meeting in person since Trump began his second term in January.

U.S. President Donald Trump will visit China next year, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday following talks between Trump and President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, also on the flight, said China would not be imposing its proposed rare earth controls after an understanding between the presidents.