As the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China deepens, President Trump has initiated dialogue with Xi Jinping, indicating a complex and challenging relationship moving forward.
Trump and Xi Jinping Engage in Tense Conversation Amidst Trade Strains
Trump and Xi Jinping Engage in Tense Conversation Amidst Trade Strains
In an escalating trade war, President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke for the first time since Trump took office, amid rising tensions.
June 5, 2025, 9:20 a.m. ET
President Donald Trump engaged in a significant conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, marking their first discussion since Trump assumed office, according to reports from Chinese state media. This dialogue comes at a crucial moment, as the fragile truce established in a lengthy trade conflict between the world’s foremost economies begins to deteriorate.
The brief announcement from Chinese state media did not elaborate on the substance of the call, which follows heightened tensions between the U.S. and China just weeks after a meeting in Geneva where both nations had agreed to a brief ceasefire in their ongoing trade hostilities. In a pointed social media post on Wednesday, Trump characterized Xi as “VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH,” underscoring the difficulty in navigating these relations.
The Trump administration has accused China of undermining the Geneva agreement, alleging that Beijing has imposed restrictions on the exports of crucial rare earth minerals. These minerals are indispensable for various American industries, such as automotive manufacturing and semiconductor production. The reliance on these minerals, which are predominantly sourced from China, threatens to stall operations in numerous U.S. factories that rely on them for their production processes.
In retaliation, the Trump administration is contemplating the revocation of visas for certain Chinese students while also halting sales of pivotal components and software related to jet engines and semiconductors to China. On the other hand, China has rebutted these allegations, denying any misconduct in relation to the Geneva framework and instead accusing the United States of exacerbating the already prickly diplomatic climate.
The White House has not provided comments regarding this latest interaction as tensions continue to threaten both economic and diplomatic relationships between the two global powers.
This report was brought to you by David Pierson, who specializes in Chinese foreign policy, and Ana Swanson, focused on trade and international economics, both of whom have extensive experience in journalism.
President Donald Trump engaged in a significant conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, marking their first discussion since Trump assumed office, according to reports from Chinese state media. This dialogue comes at a crucial moment, as the fragile truce established in a lengthy trade conflict between the world’s foremost economies begins to deteriorate.
The brief announcement from Chinese state media did not elaborate on the substance of the call, which follows heightened tensions between the U.S. and China just weeks after a meeting in Geneva where both nations had agreed to a brief ceasefire in their ongoing trade hostilities. In a pointed social media post on Wednesday, Trump characterized Xi as “VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH,” underscoring the difficulty in navigating these relations.
The Trump administration has accused China of undermining the Geneva agreement, alleging that Beijing has imposed restrictions on the exports of crucial rare earth minerals. These minerals are indispensable for various American industries, such as automotive manufacturing and semiconductor production. The reliance on these minerals, which are predominantly sourced from China, threatens to stall operations in numerous U.S. factories that rely on them for their production processes.
In retaliation, the Trump administration is contemplating the revocation of visas for certain Chinese students while also halting sales of pivotal components and software related to jet engines and semiconductors to China. On the other hand, China has rebutted these allegations, denying any misconduct in relation to the Geneva framework and instead accusing the United States of exacerbating the already prickly diplomatic climate.
The White House has not provided comments regarding this latest interaction as tensions continue to threaten both economic and diplomatic relationships between the two global powers.
This report was brought to you by David Pierson, who specializes in Chinese foreign policy, and Ana Swanson, focused on trade and international economics, both of whom have extensive experience in journalism.
