Donald Trump recently reported having a “very good” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed further tariff talks, following an agreement earlier this month to reduce their tariff rates while negotiations continue.
Details of the Call
The call, which lasted around 90 minutes, was first reported by Chinese state media and later confirmed by the Chinese foreign ministry. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share details, stating that the conversation focused largely on trade-related matters, with no discussion about Russia/Ukraine or Iran. He also noted that both nations had agreed to continue their tariff discussions.
According to Trump, the call concluded with a “very positive conclusion for both countries,” and he mentioned that “there should no longer be any questions” on rare earth products.
Chinese Perspective on Relations
Chinese state media provided insights into Xi Jinping’s comments during the call. Xi emphasized the importance of stabilizing U.S.-China relations, stating that it was essential to “correct the course of the big ship of China-US relations.” He stressed the need for both countries to avoid interference or sabotage, specifically urging careful handling of the Taiwan issue to prevent conflict.
In the readout of the call, Xi also reiterated the importance of the U.S.-China relationship, and Trump expressed his respect for Xi and his leadership.
Previous Remarks and Progress
This call came a day after Trump criticized Xi, stating that it was difficult to make a deal with the Chinese leader. Despite the tough negotiations, Trump reiterated his admiration for Xi, calling him “very tough” and “extremely hard to make a deal with.” Nonetheless, the tone of the latest call seems to reflect a step forward in trade discussions.
Earlier this year, Trump had reduced U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% for 90 days to allow room for talks. China, in turn, lowered its tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. These tariff adjustments came after months of sharp swings in global markets and fears of long-term damage to trade relations between the two largest economies.
Looking Ahead
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had previously suggested that only a direct conversation between Trump and Xi could resolve the issues and pave the way for more serious negotiations. The most recent call seems to confirm that both leaders are committed to finding a way forward, but many challenges remain in the road to an agreement.