A Step Forward: Trump and Xi’s Phone Call Sparks Hope for Eased Trade Tensions
President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a 90-minute phone call, discussing ongoing trade tensions between the two nations. Trump described the conversation as “very good,” stating that follow-up talks would be arranged with his economic team soon. The call focused primarily on trade, with both leaders expressing optimism about resolving their differences. Trump mentioned that he and Xi had invited each other to visit their respective nations, with Xi extending a gracious invitation to Trump and the First Lady to visit China.
During the call, Xi emphasized the need for the United States and China to “seek win-win results in the spirit of equality and respect each other’s concerns.” He also urged Washington to “remove the negative measures taken against China,” according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Trump highlighted progress on the issue of rare earth minerals, stating, “There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products.” A meeting between the economic teams is expected to take place shortly in a location to be determined.
The phone call comes after a long period of silence between the leaders, with tensions rising between the two sides following a 90-day trade truce last month. Trump accused China of “violating” the agreement, while Beijing denied the charge and accused the US of undermining the consensus. Despite these challenges, both leaders appear committed to finding a resolution, with Xi welcoming Trump to visit China and suggesting that the two sides should continue implementing the Geneva agreement.
