For Trump, fresh from signing critical minerals pacts with Japan and South Korea and nearing the end of an Asia tour aimed at reasserting American influence in the Indo-Pacific, the summit offered a chance to project strength and leadership on the global stage.

He hailed his “great success” in the 100-minute meeting with President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea – their first encounter since 2019 – while describing his Chinese counterpart as “a well-respected great leader” and a “good” friend of many years.

Notably, Trump referred to China as “the biggest partner of the United States” and earlier in the day framed the talks as a “G2 summit”, signalling a recognition of Beijing as Washington’s peer as a superpower.

“We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China’s own affairs well,” he told Trump, according to state news agency Xinhua.