AsianFin -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he expects to visit China either later this year or shortly afterward, citing improved economic ties with Beijing — while leaving open the possibility of imposing steeper tariffs.

Speaking in Washington alongside South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump referred to recent talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying: “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 said, before cautioning, “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 two largest economies have simmered throughout the year but have eased since April, when both sides had imposed escalating tariffs on each other’s exports.