Sri Lanka, Aug. 26 -- US President Donald Trump said Monday (Aug 25) that he expects to visit China this year or shortly afterwards, noting that economic ties between the two countries have improved - even as he kept the door open to steeper tariffs.

Speaking to reporters as he met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington, Trump pointed to recent talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping: "At some point, probably during this year or shortly thereafter, we'll go to China."

"We're going to have a great relationship with China," Trump vowed.

The US leader added, "They have some cards. We have incredible cards, but I don't want to play those cards. If I played those cards, that would destroy China."

Tensions between the world's ...