U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a productive phone call on Friday, addressing critical issues such as TikTok, trade, and Taiwan, just days before Trump resumes office. The two leaders expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-China relations despite the looming challenges.
Trump described the call as “very good” and emphasized his expectation to “solve many problems together, starting immediately.” Both leaders discussed a variety of topics, including trade balance, the opioid crisis related to fentanyl, and the ongoing TikTok situation. On TikTok, the U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations by Sunday or face a ban due to national security concerns.
President Xi, on the other hand, focused on Taiwan, reiterating China’s position that the island nation is a part of its territory. Xi expressed hope that the U.S. would handle the issue with caution to avoid tensions. His comments reflect ongoing concerns about the Taiwan Strait and its potential impact on U.S.-China relations.
Despite their differences, both leaders agreed that U.S.-China trade relations could be mutually beneficial without confrontation. This marks a continuation of the tone set during Trump’s first term, where he frequently clashed with China over trade issues and Taiwan. Trump had previously voiced support for Taiwan, including regularizing arms sales during his first term, but later suggested Taiwan should bear some responsibility for its defense.
As President-elect, Trump is set to escalate his aggressive trade policies in his second term, with plans to impose 10% duties on all U.S. imports, including 60% on goods from China. These actions are expected to heighten tensions between the two nations as they navigate complex economic and diplomatic issues.
In the call, Trump expressed optimism about resolving global challenges, with both leaders signaling their intent to foster a safer and more peaceful world.