President-elect Donald Trump revealed that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, announcing their intention to start resolving numerous global challenges “together, immediately.” Trump emphasized that their discussions would aim to make the world “more peaceful and safe,” citing topics such as trade imbalances, fentanyl, and TikTok.
This is the first formal post by Trump on social media about a conversation with Xi since his election. On Truth Social, Trump stated, “I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China. The call was very good for both China and the U.S.A. I expect we will solve many problems together, starting immediately.” He also outlined various issues discussed during the call, signaling a collaborative approach to global concerns.
According to Xinhua, Xi expressed similar sentiments, stressing that both leaders prioritize strong interaction and are hopeful for a positive start to China-U.S. relations under the new U.S. administration.
The call coincided with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a ban on TikTok due to concerns over its Chinese ownership, a move backed by most of the U.S. political establishment but opposed by Trump. The timing of the call also follows Trump’s pledge to impose high tariffs on China, raising concerns of a possible trade conflict between the two nations.
Though President Xi will not attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20, he is sending Vice President Han Zheng as a special representative. Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng confirmed the decision, reiterating China’s commitment to a cooperative, stable, and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.
As Trump prepares to take office, his administration has filled key positions with individuals who have expressed strong, critical stances toward China. However, Trump has also surrounded himself with influential tech and business figures, including Elon Musk, who have had extensive ties to China in the past. Despite the overall adversarial tone of U.S.-China relations, experts in Washington and beyond are closely monitoring the evolving dynamics between the two countries.
