Trump & Xi 90-Minute Trade Truce? The Call That Could Change Everything

Trump and Xi Hold Productive Trade Call, Signaling Potential Breakthrough

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a long-awaited 90-minute phone call on Thursday, leaving both sides optimistic about resolving ongoing trade tensions. Emerging from the conversation, President Trump described it as “very good,” indicating that follow-up talks with economic teams are imminent. A remarkable development, both leaders extended personal invitations to visit each other's countries, a significant gesture of potential reconciliation.

The call, which focused almost entirely on trade, notably excluded other geopolitical flashpoints such as Iran and Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump declared the conversation “resulted in a very positive conclusion for both Countries.” This positive assessment follows a period of strained silence between the two leaders, a silence that only amplified the existing chasm between the world’s two largest economies.

Key takeaways from the call, as reported by both sides:

• President Xi’s perspective (China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs): Xi Jinping emphasized the need for “win-win results in the spirit of equality and respect each other’s concerns,” urging the US to “remove the negative measures taken against China.” He likened recalibrating US-China relations to “taking the helm and setting the right course.” He also stressed the importance of honoring the “Geneva consensus” and urged the US to acknowledge China’s efforts in implementing the agreement.
• President Trump’s perspective: Trump highlighted progress on the issue of rare earth minerals, stating, “There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products.” He confirmed that a meeting between economic teams will occur shortly, in a location yet to be determined. He also underscored the reciprocal invitations to visit each other’s countries, calling it something “we both look forward to doing.”

Addressing Recent Tensions:

The call comes after a period of escalating tensions following a 90-day trade truce reached last month. President Trump had previously accused China of violating the agreement – a charge Beijing denied, while simultaneously accusing the US of undermining the consensus. These tensions stemmed from unresolved issues surrounding Chinese export restrictions on rare earth minerals, a critical component in numerous technologies and defense systems. The US had also implemented measures targeting Chinese technology companies and students, further fueling the friction.

The Path Forward:

US officials had hoped the call would reignite stalled trade talks following the Geneva truce. President Xi reiterated the need to “make good on” the Geneva consensus and emphasized China’s commitment to the agreement. He also urged the US to handle the Taiwan question with prudence to avoid escalating conflict. The Chinese readout welcomed President Trump’s visit and emphasized the need for continued implementation of the Geneva agreement and further meetings.

Conclusion:

The positive tone emanating from both sides following this crucial phone call offers a glimmer of hope for resolving the protracted trade dispute. While significant challenges remain, the willingness of both leaders to engage in direct dialogue and the mutual invitations for visits are powerful signals of a potential thaw in relations. The upcoming meetings between economic teams will be pivotal in determining whether this renewed engagement translates into concrete progress toward a lasting trade agreement. The focus on win-win solutions and mutual respect suggests a potential shift towards a more collaborative approach, a promising development for global economic stability.

Tags: US-China trade talks, Trump Xi Jinping call, Trade war resolution, Economic relations, Positive trade talks, Bilateral relations, China trade deal, Trump China visit, Xi Jinping visit, Win-win solutions, Rare Earth Minerals, Geneva Consensus, Trade Truce

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/05/politics/trump-xi-trade-call