President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a crucial phone call on Thursday, with Trump asserting that the conversation has resulted in a ‘very positive’ outcome for both nations. This call, which lasted approximately one and a half hours, was conducted amid ongoing economic and national security friction between the two countries. Trump stated that the discussion focused ‘almost entirely’ on trade, signaling the importance of resolving lingering issues from the recently agreed trade deal.
According to Trump, the call led to a resolution of complexities in the trade agreement, with both leaders expressing confidence in the process. He claimed that China had invited the U.S. president and first lady Melania Trump to visit China, while Trump extended an invitation to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Trump’s administration had previously criticized China for violating the terms of the trade deal, but he suggested that the call had resolved these concerns. This marked a shift in tone compared to earlier statements where Trump had accused China of not complying with the agreement.
Despite Trump’s optimistic assessment, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer highlighted that China had not yet adhered to its commitments regarding non-tariff barriers. ‘The United States did exactly what it was supposed to do, and the Chinese are slow-rolling their compliance, which is completely unacceptable and has to be addressed,’ Greer said. This indicates that while the Trump administration is hopeful about progress, challenges remain. Meanwhile, China urged the U.S. to rectify its own actions, as stated in a Friday statement by Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu.
Trump’s invitation to Xi and Peng Liyuan to visit the U.S. comes at a time when the administration is also tightening visa regulations for Chinese students. Earlier, Trump had threatened to ‘aggressively’ rescind visas for international students from China, yet he reiterated his intention to welcome foreign students, emphasizing the need for thorough vetting. This stance reflects the administration’s balance between national security concerns and the importance of maintaining educational ties with China.
As the U.S. and China continue to navigate their economic relationship, the recent phone call suggests a willingness to address discrepancies in the trade deal, though lingering issues over compliance and non-tariff barriers indicate that tensions are far from fully resolved. The call also highlights the broader implications of such diplomatic engagements, particularly in terms of geopolitical strategy and economic policy for both nations.