Former president Obama to meet with Xi Jinping during foreign trip

Jessica Estepa | USA TODAY

Barack Obama will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday during the former president's foreign trip to Asia and Europe.

It will be the first time the two have met since Obama left office.

"As president, Obama forged a close and cooperative partnership with President Xi on issues ranging from growing the global economy to combating climate change, and he looks forward to catching up with his former counterpart," Obama spokeswoman Katie Hill said in a statement.

The visit comes just weeks after President Trump met with the Chinese leader himself during his own trip to Asia. During that trip, the president criticized various Chinese trade policies and protested the "out of control" U.S. trade deficit with China— but he did not blame China for trade problems, instead saying his predecessors in the White House were at fault.

"After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens? I give China great credit," Trump said earlier this month. "In actuality, I do blame past administrations for allowing this out-of-control trade deficit to take place and to grow."

Trump has also previously touted his own relationship with Xi as "the best relationship of any president-president."

More: Trump practiced Art of the Deal in China. Analysts say it may not solve long-term challenges

Obama's trip began Tuesday with private meetings in Shanghai and speaking at a summit.

The president will also visit India, where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and speak at a town hall hosted by his own foundation.

Obama will then travel to Paris for private meetings and to speak at another summit.