US ambassador to China: ‘Best thing’ from Xi visit ‘is to continue the conversation’

U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue defended President Trump on Friday as the president completed a high-profile state visit to Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip, which was described as lavish, concluded without any major agreements announced between the two governments.

Speaking to Fox News, Perdue argued that expecting immediate, measurable "deliverables" from a relationship with China can be unrealistic. He framed the visit's most important outcome as keeping lines of communication open, saying the "best thing" arising from the meeting was to continue the conversation between the countries.

Perdue’s comments came as administration officials and observers evaluated the visit’s results. While the summit did not yield significant formal accords, Perdue emphasized the diplomatic value of sustained engagement rather than focusing solely on tangible short-term outputs.

The ambassador’s remarks underscore a strategy of prioritizing ongoing dialogue with Beijing following high-level encounters, even when those meetings do not produce headline agreements. How that approach will influence future U.S.-China talks and policy actions remains subject to unfolding diplomatic and policy developments.