Trump, China’s Xi speak on phone ahead of inauguration
President-elect Trump confirmed Friday that he had a positive conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping just days before his inauguration. The call, which took place three days before Inauguration Day, was described by Trump as “very good” for both China and the U.S.A.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, starting immediately. We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the world more peaceful and safe.”
Despite initially extending an invitation to Xi to attend the inauguration ceremony on Monday, the Chinese president declined and instead sent Vice President Han Zheng as his representative. The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed readiness to work with the new U.S. government to enhance dialogue, manage differences, and pursue a stable and sustainable relationship between the two countries.
The conversation between Trump and Xi comes amidst looming threats of a potential trade war. During his campaign, Trump had threatened to impose steep tariffs on Chinese-made products, raising concerns about the future of U.S.-China relations. While Trump’s first term saw an increase in duties on Chinese goods, President Biden did not reverse these policies.
If Trump follows through on his promise to raise tariffs to 60%, it could significantly impact China’s economy, potentially reducing exports by $200 billion and causing a drag on GDP. China exported about $500 billion worth of goods to the U.S. last year, representing a substantial portion of its total exports.
As Trump prepares to assume office, his administration has reportedly been in talks with Chinese officials. Despite tensions between the two countries, Trump expressed optimism about his relationship with Xi, stating that he believed they would “probably get along very well.”
Xi had previously congratulated Trump on his election win in November and warned that the U.S. would “gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation” with China. As Trump’s inauguration approaches, the conversation between the two leaders sets the stage for future interactions and potential collaborations between the two global superpowers.
