President Donald J. Trump praised his recent talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing the meeting as “a 12 out of 10” — a reflection of his trademark optimism and confidence in the progress of U.S.-China relations under his leadership.

Speaking to reporters following the high-level talks, President Trump said, “Overall, I guess on the scale of 0 to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12.” His remarks came shortly after the two leaders met in South Korea, marking their first in-person discussions in six years.

The meeting, widely regarded as one of the most significant diplomatic exchanges of 2025, resulted in agreements on tariff reductions, cooperation on rare earth minerals, and continued coordination on the Gaza ceasefire. President Xi, in turn, acknowledged Trump’s “great contribution” to regional stability and praised his leadership in fostering dialogue over confrontation.

President Trump’s enthusiastic assessment underscores his focus on strong personal diplomacy and deal-making — key hallmarks of his foreign policy approach. The President has long emphasized that mutual respect and direct communication are the foundation for progress between the world’s two largest economies.

As Air Force One departed the summit, Trump expressed optimism about what comes next, reaffirming that the United States is “stronger, safer, and more respected” than ever before on the global stage.