President Donald Trump plans to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea for their first in-person encounter since 2019.
Trump has praised his relationship with Xi, comparing it to his warm words for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trade has been a top agenda for Trump as he seeks a deal between the world’s two largest economies.
Both sides have signaled that a trade agreement is edging closer following talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Former president Barack Obama’s top China advisor, Ryan Hass, doubted China’s interest in pursuing a deal with Trump to unlock a “golden era” of economic cooperation.