US President Donald Trump on Monday said his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, would visit Washington in the "not too distant future" following recent reports that the leaders were considering a summit as early as April amid their countries' tit-for-tat tariffs dispute.

A former Australian prime minster said the Trump administration’s treatment of longtime allies was providing an opportunity for China, in remarks that came shortly before the US president delivered a personal rebuff.

Chinese experts say Beijing is open to talks but is being stonewalled by the State Department and other official channels.