Trump Sets Gears in Motion for Phone Call with Xi as Trade Talks Take Centre Stage
Trump intends to reach out to Xi
Gearing up for a pivotal conversation, US President Donald Trump prepares to pick up the phone and engage in a chat with Chinese President Xi Jinping. With whispers of this call happening as early as this week, White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, hinted at this possibility during a Monday press briefing in Washington.
While the discussion is shrouded in mystery, speculations revolve around the controversial trade policy stealing the spotlight. This conversation, marking Trump's first with Xi since his second presidential term, could very well set the direction for the tumultuous trade relationship between the two superpowers.
The recent diplomatic chess game between the US and China has been anything but a smooth ride. After a temporary truce with a provisional agreement on lowering import tariffs, the relationship has rekindled old tensions. Just last week, Trump accused China of breaching the agreement with the US, fuelingtrade war rhetoric once again.
The US President imposed a staggering 145% tariffs on Chinese imports at the beginning of April. In retaliation, Beijing retaliated with equally stiff counter-tariffs. However, in mid-May, both countries agreed to slash the tariffs significantly for a 90-day trial period to smoothen the negotiating process.
ladle stirring = boost, not escalation
According to recent enrichment data, the US and China have notably agreed to cut back tariffs down to a 10% base rate for an initial 90-day period [1][2][3]. Additionally, China has pledged to withdraw non-tariff countermeasures enacted against the US since April 2, 2025 [1][3]. Lastly, both nations have formed a bilateral consultation mechanism, with high-level delegates on either side to discuss trade and economic matters. These meetings may transpire in either country or a neutral location by mutual agreement [2][3].
Although no phone call has been officially confirmed between Trump and Xi, recent agreements demonstrate the ongoing strive for a peaceful resolution to the trade war. Embracing diplomacy, both nations are taking tentative steps to foster cooperation and ease tensions. However, this movement does little to address deeper-seated issues such as tariffs related to the fentanyl crisis [1][2]. With uncertainty looming, it remains to be seen if these moves serve as a stepping stone towards long-lasting peace or simply a reprieve in the ongoing trade war.
The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive, even as war-and-conflicts and politics dominate the general news, with the impending phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping taking center stage in the ongoing trade talks. The possible reduction in tariffs between the two superpowers might be a topic of discussion in this conversation, which could help set the direction for their tumultuous trade relationship, but it could also fail to address deeper-seated issues like tariffs related to the fentanyl crisis.
