Washington, Aug. 26 -- US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time), during a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, said the United States will maintain a "great relationship" with China but insisted he would not take actions that could destroy the country.

"We are going to have a great relationship with China...They have some cards. We have incredible cards, but I don't want to play those cards. If I play those cards, that would destroy China. I am not going to play those cards," Trump said.

Earlier this month, he signed an executive order "further modifying reciprocal tariff rates to reflect ongoing discussions with the People's Republic of China (PRC)." Citing authority under the Constitution and several US...