Donald Trump and Xi Jinping Calling for an hour and a half, want a meeting between the two countries as soon as possible

China and the United States are again around the table as quickly as possible to find a way out from the trade conflict between the two economic superpowers. That is the outcome of a telephone conversation, this Thursday, between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese colleague Xi Jinping.

The conversation, which was initiated by Trump according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lasted about an hour and a half. Trump called the phone call on his favorite social media platform Truth Social « Very positive. » He did not announce where and when the meeting will take place between the two countries, but that this will be ‘soon’, and that the US will be represented by Handelminister Howard Lutnick, trade representative Jamieson Greer and Minister of Finance Scott Bessen.

The latter two were also present in Geneva on 10 and 11 May, where China and the US unexpectedly closed a temporary ceasefire in a trade conflict that erupted this year when the US imposed a series of high import duties, which China always answered with the same import rate. Ultimately, a levy of 145 percent applied to all American imports from China, which – as also Bessently recognized – came down to a trade embargo in practice.

In Geneva, both countries suspended the accumulation of taxes for the time being, pending further agreements. But last week it seemed to be in danger: Trump accused China of not complying with the agreements, including strict output restrictions on rare earth metals. Shortages to this already led to problems with, among other things Western car manufacturerswho had to suspend the production of some models.

According to Trump, after Thursday’s telephone conversation, « no more questions can be about the complexity of rare earth metals, » although it was not clear what exactly he means by that.

Students

Trump writes that the conversation was ‘almost alone about trade’. « Nothing has been discussed with regard to Russia/Ukraine, or Iran. »

In the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs distributed report A few other points of the telephone conversation are mentioned. « President Xi emphasized that the US should handle the Taiwan issue with care, » said the explanation, « so that marginal separatists who strive for Taiwanese independence cannot drag China and America into confrontation or even conflict. »

The presence of Chinese students in the US was also discussed according to the Chinese report. « The US would like Chinese students to study in America, » says it. Last week announced The American Foreign Minister to the Visa of Chinese students to ‘aggressively’ withdrawing, in particular that of students with ‘ties with the Communist Party’ and in ‘critical fields’.

XI has invited Trump to visit him. According to the report that Trump posted on Thursday, he would have answered with the same invitation. « As presidents of two major nations, we look forward to it. »

To share

Mail the editors