President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that he held a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, covering a wide range of issues, including trade, the TikTok ban, and the fentanyl crisis. The call comes just days before Trump's inauguration on Monday, signaling potential shifts in U.S.-China relations under his incoming administration.
Trump characterized the call as "very good" for both nations in a post on Truth Social. "It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately," he wrote. "We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!"
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that both leaders expressed hope for greater progress in bilateral relations. Xi, who declined Trump's invitation to attend the inauguration but will send Vice President Han Zheng in his place, reiterated China's willingness to work toward a "stable, healthy, and sustainable" relationship with the United States.
"We stand ready to work with the new US government to enhance dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly pursue a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship, and find the right way for the two countries to get along," China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The conversation occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the two global powers. Under Trump's first term, the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods and tightened export controls on sensitive technologies. President Biden largely maintained these measures, and Trump's incoming administration has signaled its intention to pursue even tougher policies. Trump has proposed raising tariffs to 60%, a move that could significantly impact China's economy by reducing exports to the U.S. by an estimated $200 billion annually.
Trade relations were a focal point of the discussion, with Trump aiming to address imbalances and alleged unfair practices. However, the conversation also turned to TikTok, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform that faces an imminent U.S. ban following a Supreme Court ruling on Friday. The court upheld a federal law requiring ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest from the app or cease operations in the U.S. starting Sunday. Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok during his first term, has softened his stance, citing the platform's role in boosting youth engagement during his campaign.
While Trump did not explicitly state his plans regarding the ban, his transition team has reportedly been in discussions with Chinese officials about the issue. Observers speculate that Trump may attempt to broker a deal that allows TikTok to continue operating in exchange for addressing national security concerns.
Fentanyl, another critical issue, was also discussed. Trump has long criticized China for its role in producing and exporting the synthetic opioid, which has fueled a devastating addiction crisis in the U.S. Both leaders agreed to prioritize addressing the flow of fentanyl and its precursors, though specifics on collaborative measures were not disclosed.
The call further highlights the complex dynamics between the two nations, which have clashed over issues ranging from trade and technology to territorial disputes in the South China Sea and human rights concerns. During the campaign, Trump pledged to take a harder line on China, even as he acknowledged the need for cooperation on global challenges.
Trump's inaugural address on Monday is expected to outline his administration's approach to China, including potential tariff increases and strategies for handling contentious issues such as Taiwan, intellectual property theft, and cybersecurity threats.
Despite the challenges, both Trump and Xi struck a cautiously optimistic tone. "And I think we will probably get along very well, I predict," Trump said earlier this month. Xi echoed this sentiment in a congratulatory call after Trump's election victory, warning that the U.S. would "gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation" with China.
