US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talked for 90 minutes over the phone on Thursday, reviving expectations of a breakthrough in stalled trade talks. Terming the call as “very good,” Trump stated that the two countries’ economic teams will soon conduct follow-up meetings and that both leaders have exchanged invitations for state visits.
The call, which was mainly about trade, was the first direct contact between the two leaders after months and came in the wake of a 90-day ceasefire brokered in Geneva. Trump highlighted advancements regarding the export of rare earth minerals, a point that had grown increasingly pressing given their strategic value in the defense and technological industries.
Xi called on the US to show respect for China’s worries, lift punitive actions, and sustain the Geneva consensus, explaining that both nations need to “recalibrate the direction” of their relationship through cooperation and mutual respect. He also warned against pushing Taiwan tensions, a sensitive matter for Beijing.
While Trump heaped praises upon the constructive tone of the conversation, tensions between the two nations have persisted unabated. The US has condemned China’s export curbs, singled out Huawei technology, and gone to cut academic access for some Chinese students. China has, in return, accused Washington of sabotaging two-way deals.
Despite earlier hesitation from Beijing due to concerns over Trump’s unpredictability, the phone call signaled renewed willingness to engage. Xi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described China as sincere but principled, calling for both nations to meet again soon.
This latest exchange is one that reflects a complicated relationship which has witnessed rising tension on economic and geopolitical levels. Trump, looking for a fresh trade agreement as part of his overall economic agenda, seemed hopeful that the dialogue had set some ground for further talks and diplomatic interaction.
