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WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami) — Two of the world’s most powerful leaders are meeting for the first time face-to-face in Florida – President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping.
Their meeting during a 2-day summit in Mar-a-Lago comes at a crucial time.
President trump boarded Air Force One Thursday afternoon, trading a Washington, D.C. downpour for Florida sunshine.
Protestors lined the street leading to the so-called “Winter White House” where the two world leaders will take on tough topics.
North Korea’s nuclear program is a top priority. The communist country tested another missile just two days ago but trade between the U.S. and China is also expected to take center stage, which then-candidate Trump frequently criticized on the campaign trail.
“We can’t continue to allow China to rape our country,” said Trump while on the campaign trail back in May 2016.
The White House says the president hopes to re-boot the relationship with China during this high-profile trip. He and President Xi will have time to get to know each other in an informal setting along with their wives before getting down to business.
Critics are questioning the “pleasure” portion of the visit, and whether the setting is appropriate since the Trump family owns Mar-a-Lago.
“What he is doing is actually using government office for private gain,” said Government Ethics Specialist Kathleen Clark.
The White House has not said if the Chinese delegation will pay for any services while visiting the resort.
The White House hopes China uses its economic leverage to put pressure on North Korea-its southern neighbor – but President Trump has said he is prepared to address North Korea alone if China does not cooperate.
