Donald Trump, the US president-elect, announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he had a “very good” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of his return to the White House next week.
The conversation, which marked the first interaction between the two leaders since Trump’s departure after his first term, focused on critical global issues, including trade, fentanyl, and the controversial TikTok app.
“I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China,” Trump wrote.
It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately.
He further emphasized the potential for both nations to work collaboratively, stating, “President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!”
Trump-Xi phone call: a promising tone
According to a readout from China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi echoed Trump’s optimism, stating that both leaders “attach great importance to mutual interactions” and are looking forward to a positive start in US-China relations during Trump’s second term.
However, the call comes at a time of heightened tension between Washington and Beijing, as geopolitical and economic challenges continue to strain ties between the two superpowers.
Just hours after the call, the US Supreme Court cleared the path for a ban on TikTok, the China-based app owned by ByteDance, to take effect on Sunday.
The ruling rejected TikTok’s appeal, which argued that the ban violated the First Amendment.
The app’s future now hangs in the balance, adding another layer of complexity to US-China relations.
Xi to skip Trump’s inauguration
While Xi conveyed his congratulations to Trump following his reelection in November, he has opted to skip the inauguration ceremony in Washington, DC, scheduled for Monday.
Instead, Vice President Han Zheng will represent China at the event.
This decision underscores Beijing’s cautious approach to navigating its relationship with the Trump administration.
Xi’s earlier congratulatory message to Trump included a reminder of the mutual benefits of cooperation and the dangers of confrontation.
“The US and China stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation,” Xi said, expressing hope for a constructive relationship during Trump’s second term.
Trump-Xi phone call: trade, tariffs, and Taiwan
While Trump expressed a willingness to cooperate with China, his rhetoric on certain issues remains firm.
As a candidate, Trump vowed to impose steep tariffs on Chinese goods, a stance that shaped his first term.
Now, as president-elect, he has reiterated his commitment to holding Beijing accountable, proposing a 10% increase in tariffs until China takes significant steps to curb the flow of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, into the US.
The Taiwan issue also emerged as a point of contention. During the call, Xi reiterated Beijing’s position on Taiwan, labeling it a “breakaway territory” and stressing that unification with the mainland remains a priority.
While Trump was seen as a staunch supporter of Taiwan during his first term, his rhetoric has since evolved.
Recently, he criticized Taiwan for allegedly “stealing” American chip manufacturing jobs and suggested that the island nation should contribute more to US military protection.
Trump’s cabinet of China hawks
Trump’s cabinet picks signal a potentially tougher stance on China.
Prominent China critics, including Senator Marco Rubio, nominated for secretary of state, and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, tapped for defense secretary, indicate a team prepared to confront Beijing on various fronts.
Rubio, who is currently sanctioned by Beijing, has consistently called for stricter measures against China, while Hegseth has warned of China’s ambition to surpass the US in global dominance.
Role of Elon Musk in US-China relations
Amid this backdrop, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, remains a unique factor in US-China relations.
With Tesla manufacturing more than half of its vehicles in China, Musk has maintained a cooperative relationship with Beijing.
His comments advocating for a “win-win” dynamic between the US and China sharply contrast Trump’s zero-sum approach.
Musk’s influence and frequent meetings with Chinese officials add an intriguing dimension to the evolving bilateral relationship.
As Trump prepares for his inauguration, the phone call with Xi underscores the delicate balance between collaboration and contention in US-China relations.
While both leaders expressed optimism, deep-rooted differences on issues like trade, technology, and Taiwan loom large.
The coming weeks will test whether this “very good” phone call translates into meaningful progress or sets the stage for further tensions.
This pivotal conversation has undoubtedly captured global attention, with its implications stretching across diplomacy, trade, and technology.
As the world watches, the outcomes of Trump’s second term will shape the future trajectory of US-China relations.
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