The US president says he'll "most likely" travel to China before year's end

US President Donald Trump has hinted at an upcoming trip to China and a possible return visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

In an interview with Breitbart on Tuesday, Trump said he has been "looking forward" to a China trip and that one could happen soon. He claimed his Chinese counterpart "wants" a meeting with him to resolve the trade dispute between the two countries. 

"We'll see what happens, but we'll most likely be going to China in the not-too-distant future, maybe before this year is out - and he'll be coming here," Trump stated.

Trump has been sending mixed messages on the prospects of meeting the Chinese leader, stating on Monday he had not been actively seeking it at all.  

"I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The latest remarks amid rumors of a looming visit of the US president to China, which could potentially occur amid the celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. On September 3, Beijing will host a major military parade to mark the occasion, which multiple foreign leaders are expected to attend.

Speculation has grown that the commemorative events could potentially involve a trilateral meeting between Xi, Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While neither side has confirmed or denied that such a meeting is being planned, Moscow said it was open to participating in such talks.  

"If it so happens that [Trump] is there, then, of course, we cannot rule out that the question of the expediency of holding a meeting will be raised," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters last week, noting that Moscow has not yet heard whether Trump is going to Beijing.