President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together after their meetings at Mar-a-Lago on April 7 in Palm Beach, Fla. | AP Photo White House: U.S., China will seek to 'peacefully resolve' North Korean nuclear threat

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to work with the international community to achieve a peaceful solution to the North Korea nuclear threat during their diplomatic meetings at Mar-a-Lago, according to statement released Friday by the White House press office.

Following a second day of bilateral talks, press secretary Sean Spicer said both China and the U.S. agreed to increase cooperation between the two superpowers to "convince North Korea to peacefully resolve the issue and dismantle its illegal nuclear and missile programs" and to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in the Korean peninsula.


According to Spicer, Xi and Trump "reaffirmed their commitment to a denuclearized Korean peninsula, and committed to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions."

Trump has previously criticized China's handling of North Korea, telling Reuters in March he was "not liking" the dynamic, adding, "I know exactly what's going on between China and North Korea and everybody else."

During an interview with the Financial Times published Sunday, Trump warned that if China was unwilling to collaborate on North Korea, the United States would be willing to go it alone.

"China will either decide to help us with North Korea or they won't," he said. "If they do, that will be very good for China, and if they don't, it won't be good for anyone."

The White House said Trump also stressed to Xi the importance of creating "reciprocal market access" that did not disadvantage American workers. Trump repeatedly bashed China on the campaign trail and upon taking office, blaming it for the loss of American jobs.

At Mar-a-Lago on Friday, Trump urged China to take steps to "level the playing field for American workers," according to the statement.

"President Trump noted the challenges caused by Chinese government intervention in its economy and raised serious concerns about the impact of China's industrial, agricultural, technology, and cyber policies on United States jobs and exports."

Xi and Trump also discussed China's increased militarization in the South China Sea, with President Trump urging the Chinese to adhere to international norms. Trump also "noted the importance of protecting human rights and other values deeply held by Americans," according to the statement.