Trump wouldn't say if he's talked to Chinese President Xi Jinping directly.
President Donald Trump revealed for the first time on Thursday that the United States is in talks with China on a tariff deal. Trump said a deal could be reached in the next three to four weeks.
Earlier Thursday, Trump met with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni at the White House amid a tariff standoff with the European Union. The talks came a day after Trump met with Japanese officials and spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Meanwhile, Trump is criticizing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, saying his "termination cannot come fast enough" after Powell said he expects Trump's tariff policy to cause higher inflation and slower economic growth.
President Donald Trump greeted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni outside the White House at noon.
Trump shook Meloni's hand and said he is "very confident" that he could make a trade deal with the European Union.
The two will have lunch before a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office.
Senior administration officials on Thursday morning outlined that President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's working meeting will focus on trade, defense shipping, Italy's role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and "unleashing American energy exports to the rest of the world."
Asked by reporters what Italy can do to facilitate a trade agreement with the United States, senior administration officials said they didn't want to get ahead of the president, but one said Trump's expectation for all nations working on a deal is "a true partnership and give access to the world's markets on behalf of the American manufacturing and work base."
"Again, not getting ahead of their discussions, but certainly the president will reemphasize his expectation for Italy and all of Europe to do their part to be good trade partners with the U.S.,” the official said.
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie and Kelsey Walsh
President Donald Trump criticized Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates sooner and said his termination cannot come "fast enough!"
In a new social media post, he called the Fed's report a complete "mess!"
The president also touted what he believes is his administration's success, writing: "Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS."
Trump has long been critical of Powell, but this is the first time he's set the groundwork for a potential termination.
Powell said Wednesday that it is "highly likely" Trump's tariffs will lead to "at least a temporary rise in inflation."
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
President Donald Trump is hosting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the White House on Thursday.
The two will hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at 1:05 p.m.
The talks are likely to focus on tariffs, and Meloni is the first European leader to meet with Trump since he imposed tariffs on the European Union. Meloni, Italy's right-wing premier, has come to be called a Trump "whisperer" and attended his inauguration in January.
