Trump and Xi Speak to Ease Tensions Amid Trade Disputes
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a phone call this Thursday aimed at alleviating tensions in their increasingly strained bilateral relationship. The friction has deepened due to mutual accusations over violations of trade agreements related to tariffs, as well as the United States' controversial decision to revoke student visas for Chinese nationals.
Trump characterized the call on his social media platform as 'very good' and mentioned that it resulted in a 'very positive conclusion for both countries.' He further stated that the complexities surrounding Rare Earth products—a significant grievance for the US—should no longer be a point of contention.
In announcement on Truth Social, Trump noted that delegations from both nations would soon meet at a yet-to-be-determined location, with the US delegation comprising Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The primary focus of their conversation was on trade issues; Trump explicitly stated that matters concerning Russia, Ukraine, or Iran were not discussed.
Both leaders extended invitations to visit each other's countries, with Trump expressing optimism about such future engagements, stating, 'As Presidents of two Great Nations, this is something that we both look forward to doing.'
According to China's state news agency Xinhua, the conversation was initiated at Trump's request and marked the first interaction between the two leaders since the Republican inauguration. The call reportedly lasted for an hour and a half.
In the days leading up to the call, Trump had expressed frustration over the challenges in establishing communication with Xi, describing him as 'very tough and extremely hard to strike a deal with.'
This conversation is seen as a significant step in addressing the ongoing disputes and building a bridge in the bilateral relationship, which has been characterized by tension and disagreements since Trump's return to office. The anticipation of upcoming trade discussions reflects a mutual desire to navigate and potentially resolve ongoing economic disputes.
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