President Donald Trump has announced he plans to visit Beijing in April, extending an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit later next year. This decision follows a phone call between the two leaders, where several pressing topics were discussed, including trade relations, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the sensitive issue of Taiwan.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the relationship with China as 'extremely strong,' reflecting a positive outlook from both sides. China's state news agency echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum in their bilateral relationship based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit.
The recent meeting in Busan, South Korea, was a pivotal moment, resulting in a truce over tariffs, where the US agreed to reduce a 20% tariff aimed at curbing the flow of fentanyl by half. However, tariffs on Chinese goods remain, averaging just below 50%.
According to China, the trajectory of US-China relations has become generally stable and positive since the Busan meeting. As a sign of goodwill, the US retracted a previous threat of imposing 100% tariffs on additional Chinese goods, while China postponed plans to impose new rare earth export controls.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted that the phone call lasted about an hour and focused primarily on trade, with both parties expressing satisfaction with the current state of negotiations.
During the call, discussions also touched on the broader geopolitical landscape, specifically the return of Taiwan to China, which aligns with Xi's vision for a redefined post-war international order. This topic remains contentious, especially in light of recent tensions with Japan, a key US ally.
Trump did not reference Taiwan directly in his communications about the call, yet the US has reiterated its support for Japan's position amid increasing Chinese military coercion in the region.
