President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE joked that he has gotten "absolutely nothing" from Chinese President Xi Jinping so far at the start of their dinner Thursday night.

"We had a long discussion already. So far, I have gotten nothing. Absolutely nothing," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he is hosting Xi. "But we have developed a friendship. I can see that. I think, long-term, we are going to have a very, very great relationship and I look very much forward to it."

In the run up to Xi's visit – his first such trip to the U.S. since Trump took office in January – Trump said the meeting would be "very difficult" and prepared to press Xi on the trade deficit between the U.S. and China and on North Korea.

The meeting next week with China will be a very difficult one in that we can no longer have massive trade deficits... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

...and job losses. American companies must be prepared to look at other alternatives. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2017

As a presidential candidate, Trump repeatedly railed against China as a "currency manipulator" and assailed the country for not taking a stronger stance against North Korea's threats. He also frequently disparaged international trade deals, and vowed to reevaluate such agreements.

The president signed two executive orders last week targeting U.S. trade deficits and foreign trade abuses.