Trump-Xi, phone call on tariffs: positive agreement and mutual invitations

One-and-a-half-hour conversation between the American president and the Chinese leader. Focus on trade and rare earths, with the aim of reviving bilateral dialogue

A telephone conversation lasting about an hour and a half took place today, Thursday 5 June, between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The discussion, as Trump himself reported on Truth, focused almost exclusively on trade issues. No reference was made to Russia, Ukraine or Iran.

‘I just had a great phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping,’ Trump wrote, noting that the discussion focused on ’the details of our recently concluded and agreed trade deal.’ The American president spoke of ‘a very positive conclusion for both countries’ and announced an upcoming meeting between the delegations, at a location yet to be determined. The United States will be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

One of the central topics of the talks was rare earths, strategic resources on which China has recently imposed export restrictions, with potential repercussions on the global automotive industry. Trump said that ‘there should be no more problems with the complexity of rare earth products,’ suggesting that an agreement had been reached, without providing details.

For his part, Xi Jinping asked Washington to ‘correct the course’ of bilateral relations, calling on the United States to remove the ‘negative’ measures imposed against Beijing. The Chinese leader described the recent economic talks in Geneva as ‘an important step’ and reiterated that China had respected the agreements reached. Xi urged the US to recognise this progress and abandon its hostile approach.

During the conversation, Xi also warned Trump of the need to handle the Taiwan issue with caution, emphasising the risks associated with possible separatist tendencies: ‘The United States must prevent a small minority of Taiwan independence separatists from dragging the two countries into a conflict.’

Trump confirmed Washington’s adherence to the ‘one China’ policy and highlighted the importance of maintaining stability in bilateral relations. Both leaders expressed their intention to continue the dialogue to reduce tensions and strengthen cooperation in the diplomatic, economic, military and judicial fields.

Finally, Xi officially invited Trump and the First Lady to visit China. ‘I reciprocated the invitation,’ Trump wrote, ‘and as presidents of two great nations, it is an experience we both look forward to.’

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(Photo: © AndKronos)