Donald Trump says Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the US in two weeks amid trade tensions

US President Donald Trump has said Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States in two weeks amid continuing trade tensions between Washington and BeijingTrump disclosed the expected visit while addressing a Republican campaign rally in Myrtle Beach South Carolina on Friday He did not provide a specific date venue or agenda for his expected meeting with XildquoAs an example in two weeks President Xi of Chinas comingrdquo Trump saidTrump referred to Xis expected visit while discussing a proposed ballroom and military complex at the White House He said the existing East Room was too small to host major official events and visiting delegationsTrump links Xi visit to proposed White House ballroomldquoYou know we have a Tiny little room right now Its been that way for years Its called East Room and it seats 88 peoplerdquo Trump saidTrump said he wished the proposed ballroom were already available for the Chinese presidents visitldquoI wish we had a ballroom but in a very short period of time in a year from now youll have one of the greatest anywhere in the worldrdquo he saidTrump also told the rally that the US Supreme Court had allowed the White House project to proceedAccording to Trump the planned complex would include a military component designed to provide protection against drones and missiles along with bulletproof glassldquoThe militarys wanted this done for 100 years and presidents have wanted it done for 150 yearsrdquo he saidTrump thanks Supreme Court over projectTrump thanked the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice for the ruling allowing the project to proceedldquoWe have a ruling that its proceed When they say proceed I think thats a good thingrdquo he saidThe President also claimed that construction was running under budget and ahead of schedule He did not disclose an estimated cost for the project during his remarksThe White House project was not the only issue Trump discussed at the rally He also defended his tariff policies and credited them with encouraging foreign companies to establish manufacturing operations in the United StatesTrump defends tariffs amid trade tensionsldquoWe imposed historic tariffs on foreign goodsrdquo Trump said ldquoThe tariffs were making a fortune with tariffsrdquoHe argued that companies selling goods in the US faced a choice between paying duties on imported products and manufacturing them within the countryldquoCome over here and build your cars in the United Statesrdquo Trump said describing the message he had delivered to foreign carmakersTrump claimed that USD 192 trillion was being invested in the United States and said the country was experiencing a surge in factory construction The transcript of his remarks did not identify the source of the figure or specify which investments were includedChinaUS trade tensions remain a key issueTrump described tariffs as one of his preferred policy tools and spoke positively about their impact on the US economyldquoIts my alltime favorite word I love tariffs I love the word Its made us rich as hellrdquo he saidThe expected visit by Xi comes against the backdrop of continuing economic tensions between the worlds two largest economiesChina and the United States have extensive trade ties but their economic relationship has been strained by disputes over tariffs technology semiconductor exports market access and national securityWith inputs from IANS