U.S., China will resume trade talks, Trump says after call with Xi

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had declared that it was tough to achieve a deal with China’s President Xi Jinping. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

President Donald Trump mentioned his dialog with Chinese chief Xi Jinping had a “very positive conclusion” on Thursday (June 5, 2025), asserting that the 2 international locations will maintain trade talks in hopes of breaking an deadlock over tariffs and international provides of uncommon earth minerals.

It was the primary call between the 2 males since Mr Trump took workplace for his second time period greater than 4 months in the past.

“Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined,” Mr Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will symbolize the U.S. facet in negotiations.

The Republican president additionally mentioned Xi “graciously” invited him and first girl Melania Trump to China, and Mr Trump reciprocated with his personal invitation for Xi to go to the United States.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry mentioned Mr Trump initiated the call between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

Xinhua, the Chinese state media outlet, mentioned Mr Xi requested Mr Trump to “reverse the negative measures” that the U.S. has taken towards China. It additionally reported that Mr Trump mentioned Chinese college students have been welcome to check within the U.S., though his administration has vowed to revoke a few of their visas.

Comparing the bilateral relationship to an enormous ship, Xi advised Trump that the 2 sides must steer rigorously in a great route and for them to “eliminate all kinds of interference and even sabotage,” in keeping with Xinhua.

Mr Trump had declared in the future earlier that it was tough to achieve a deal with Mr Xi.

“I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” Mr Trump posted Wednesday (June 4, 2025) on his social media web site.

Trade negotiations between the United States and China stalled shortly after a May 12 settlement between the 2 international locations to scale back their tariff charges whereas talks performed out. Behind the gridlock has been the continued competitors for an financial edge.

The U.S. accuses China of not exporting crucial minerals, and the Chinese authorities objects to America proscribing its sale of superior chips and its entry to pupil visas for school and graduate college students.

Mr Trump has lowered his 145% tariffs on Chinese items to 30% for 90 days to permit for talks. China additionally lowered its taxes on U.S. items from 125% to 10%. The forwards and backwards has brought about sharp swings in international markets and threatens to hamper trade between the 2 international locations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had instructed that solely a dialog between Mr Trump and Mr Xi might resolve these variations in order that talks might restart in earnest. The underlying rigidity between the 2 international locations should still persist, although.

Even if negotiations resume, Mr Trump needs to reduce America’s reliance on Chinese factories and reindustrialize the U.S., whereas China needs the flexibility to proceed its push into applied sciences reminiscent of electrical automobiles and synthetic intelligence that may very well be essential to securing its financial future.

The United States ran a trade imbalance of $295 billion with China in 2024, in keeping with the Census Bureau. While the Chinese authorities’s deal with manufacturing has turned it into a serious financial and geopolitical energy, China has been muddling by way of a slowing economic system after an actual property disaster and coronavirus pandemic lockdowns weakened shopper spending.

Mr Trump and Mr Xi had final spoken in January, three days earlier than Inauguration Day. The pair mentioned trade then, in addition to Mr Trump’s calls for that China do extra to forestall the artificial opioid fentanyl from coming into the United States.

Mr Trump had lengthy expressed optimism in regards to the prospects for a serious deal, earlier than his put up suggesting Mr Xi was making that tough. Last week, Trump went additional, posting, “The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” Mr Trump posted. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”

U.S. should deal with Taiwan ‘with caution’ to keep away from ‘conflict’: Xi

Mr Xi warned Mr Trump that Washington ought to deal with the problem of Taiwan “with caution” with a purpose to keep away from “conflict”, state media reported Thursday (June 5, 2025).

Mr Xi advised Mr Trump that Washington “should handle the Taiwan question with caution” to keep away from “’Taiwan independence’ separatists dragging China and the United States into the danger of conflict and confrontation”, state information company Xinhua mentioned.

Bilateral ties ought to right course

Mr Xi additionally advised Mr Trump that the 2 ought to “correct the course” of bilateral relations. “Correcting the course of the big ship of Sino-US relations requires us to steer well and set the direction, especially to eliminate all kinds of interference and even destruction, which is particularly important,” Mr Xi advised Mr Trump in keeping with state information company Xinhua.