WASHINGTON — President Trump held a much-anticipated phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, “focused almost entirely on trade” — with the leaders agreeing to have their reps meet soon and laying the groundwork for more bilateral talks.
“I just concluded a very good phone call with President Xi, of China, discussing some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, Trade Deal,” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the conclusion of the 90-minute chat.
“There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products,” he added, describing the call as reaching a “good conclusion” for both countries.
Trump had fumed Friday over China’s behavior, writing on Truth Social: “The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
But the call seemed to lessen tensions between the US and China — to the point that, according to Trump, Xi invited the American president and his wife Melania to visit, with the commander in chief reciprocating the offer.
Xi also invited Trump and his wife, Melania, to visit China, and the US president reciprocated the offer, he wrote.
“As Presidents of two Great Nations, this is something that we both look forward to doing,” Trump wrote of the prospective China visit.
“The conversation was focused almost entirely on TRADE. Nothing was discussed concerning Russia/Ukraine, or Iran.”
The president previously told a Post reporter in the Oval Office that he would be “nice” to China and not play “hardball” in his talks — scoffing at the idea that he would mention the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two leaders have sparred for months over trade, but had yet to speak one-on-one amid the escalating tensions.
Last month, Trump sent US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Switzerland, where the US struck an initial tariff deal with China, lowering the duty rate on Beijing imports to 30% from as high as 145%.
Trump said he and Xi spoke about sending their respective teams to discuss another deal, but hadn’t set up the exact timing yet.
The US team will be led by Greer, Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
