President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will visit Beijing in April, coinciding with an invitation extended to Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit later next year. This announcement follows a recent phone call between the two leaders, which focused on a variety of critical issues.
In the call, Trump and Xi discussed trade relations, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the flow of fentanyl, and the contentious situation regarding Taiwan. Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing a strong sentiment about the relationship between the U.S. and China, describing it as 'extremely strong.'
China's state news agency echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for the two nations to maintain momentum and move forward based on principles of equality, respect, and mutual benefit.
The backdrop of this diplomatic exchange includes their earlier meeting in Busan, South Korea, where they managed to establish a truce on tariffs and reduce some trade barriers. As a result, the U.S. has halved a 20% tariff aimed at curbing fentanyl distribution, though other tariffs on Chinese products still hover around an average of 50%.
The Chinese government stated that the general trajectory of U.S.-China relations has been steady and positive, which is welcomed by both countries and the broader international community. This recent dialogue has seen the U.S. retract a potential threat regarding additional tariffs on Chinese goods and delay plans for China to introduce export controls on rare earth minerals.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the call with Xi, which lasted approximately one hour, as focused primarily on trade. She noted that both countries have been pleased with the developments within their relationship.
Additionally, the discussion included significant security concerns, as Xi reiterated that Taiwan's 'return to China' is essential for shaping the post-war international order, a perspective that has implications amid rising tensions in the region.
The historical context of U.S.-China relations has often been complicated by Taiwan's status, with recent remarks from Japan suggesting that any aggression towards Taiwan could elicit a military response from Tokyo. While Trump did not comment on Taiwan in his original post about the call, the subject remains a pivotal issue in overall U.S.-China diplomacy.
