WASHINGTON — Weeks before his trip to China , President Donald Trump was already predicting on social media that his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping , would “give me a big, fat hug when I get there.”
But Beijing’s deep economic ties to Iran , as well as trade tensions over tariff threats stretching back to Trump’s first term, could crimp the good feelings when Trump flies to Beijing this week — even though the Republican president has for years effusively praised Xi, making it clear he sees China’s leader as a competitor strong enough to warrant his respect and admiration.