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In a phone conversation on Friday, President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed several pressing issues, including trade relations, the fentanyl crisis, and the social media platform TikTok. This dialogue occurred just before Trump prepares to return to the White House, pledging to implement tariffs and additional strategies against China, the U.S.’s most significant competitor.
Despite these impending confrontational policies, Xi congratulated Trump on his election victory and emphasized the importance of enhancing U.S.-China relations, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. Coincidentally, the conversation took place on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court upheld legislation that could potentially ban TikTok unless it’s divested from its Chinese parent company.
During the call, Xi expressed an interest in fostering positive interactions and hopes for a fresh beginning in the U.S.-China relationship with the new administration. He remarked, “We both attach great importance to interaction, hope for a good start of the China-U.S. relationship during the new U.S. presidency and are willing to secure greater progress in China-U.S. relations from a new starting point.”
Trump confirmed the call on his social media platform, stating, “the call was a very good one for both China and the U.S.A.” He indicated that they discussed crucial topics like trade, fentanyl trafficking, and TikTok, adding, “President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!” Following inquiries for more details, his transition team referred to his social media post.
In recent days, the tone of U.S.-China relations appears to have warmed, which is likely to be a focus during Trump’s upcoming term. Throughout his campaign, Trump warned of raising tariffs on Chinese imports significantly, suggesting a rise of up to 60%, and promised an additional 10% increase due to China’s alleged failure to address the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.
Analysts anticipate that Trump may tighten restrictions on goods exchanged with China. Notably, he has hinted at a desire to “save TikTok,” even after previously attempting to block the app during his previous term in office. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Trump stated he would make a decision regarding TikTok “in not too distant future” but required time to assess the situation.
Hal Brands, a senior fellow at a prominent think tank, noted that Trump’s stance on TikTok could be tied to his belief that the platform has positively influenced his prospects for the 2024 election. Brands remarked, “This indicates that Trump’s views on China are flexible, depending on political convenience.” He added, “His objective seems to be finding some form of agreement with China over the long run, even if he utilizes hostile tactics to build the necessary leverage now.”
Hours before Trump’s discussion with Xi, the Chinese government announced that Vice President Han Zheng would attend the inauguration ceremony as Xi’s special envoy. Such an invitation is unusual; no foreign head of state has attended a U.S. presidential inauguration in recent history. Trump has previously commended his relationship with Xi, suggesting that China could play a key role in mediating international disputes, including the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
However, the relationship between Washington and Beijing has been characterized by tension and economic rivalry that escalated during Trump’s first administration. Subsequent to Trump’s presidency, President Joe Biden has also instituted restrictions on advanced technology exports to China and imposed elevated tariffs on certain Chinese products.
During a recent confirmation hearing, Senator Marco Rubio, who has been nominated by Trump to serve as Secretary of State, described China as “the most potent and dangerous near-peer adversary this nation has ever confronted.”
In their dialogue, Xi acknowledged that differences between the two nations are unavoidable but stressed the necessity of “respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns and finding a proper solution,” as per the Chinese foreign ministry’s official statement. He cautioned Trump to address the Taiwan situation “with prudence,” reiterating that it pertains to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Xi added that “confrontation and conflict should not be an option for the two countries.” While Beijing regards Taiwan as a part of its territory and threatens forceful annexation if necessary, U.S. legislation mandates providing Taiwan with adequate military support against potential aggression from the mainland.
Trump has previously criticized Taiwan for attracting segments of the semiconductor industry away from the U.S., although relations between the U.S. and Taiwan significantly improved during his first term. In a show of goodwill, Taiwan is sending a delegation featuring its legislative speaker and others to Trump’s inauguration, signaling its commitment to democracy and extending “best wishes” to Trump and his administration.
During their phone call, Xi emphasized that trade and the overall economic relations between the two countries should be founded on mutual benefit to achieve a win-win situation. Both leaders also discussed various global matters, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict, agreeing to establish “a channel of strategic communication” to facilitate dialogue on these issues.
Craig Singleton, who oversees the China Program at a well-known defense think tank, pointed out the significance of such high-level communications and noted that both Trump and Xi seem to be engaging more frequently. Singleton stated, “Regular communication is critical for advancing U.S. interests while ensuring clarity in competition.” Trump mentioned in a previous interview that he has been in contact with Xi since winning the election and characterized their relationship as “very good.”
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