Trump and Xi joust for world economy crown with divergent plans

Trump - whose two-day itinerary to China includes a stop at the Forbidden City in Beijing and a state dinner

President Donald Trump touched down in Beijing on Wednesday seeking immediate wins for the world’s-biggest economy. His host, President Xi Jinping, is playing a longer game.

Xi has mapped out a two stage blueprint: First, to entrench China’s manufacturing might by 2025 through a shift up the technology chain to high value-add products. Second, as laid out last month, build a “great modern socialist country” so China is “a global leader” by 2050.

Trump, who’ll be accompanied by business leaders eager for deals, wants to cut his nation’s trade deficit with China, which last year totalled $327 billion according to IMF data.