Trump Claims Positive Progress in Trade Talks with Xi Despite Previous Criticism

President Donald Trump engaged in a lengthy telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, highlighting ongoing economic challenges and security concerns between the United States and China regarding trade practices.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump stated, “I just concluded a very good phone call with President Xi of China, discussing some intricacies of our recently negotiated Trade Deal.” He described the discussion as lasting around one and a half hours and declared that it ended on a positive note for both nations.

Focus on Trade and Diplomatic Visits

The primary focus of the conversation was trade, with Xi inviting Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to visit China. In return, Trump extended an invitation for Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to travel to the United States.

The call, reported first by Chinese media, reportedly took place at Trump’s request, following an indication from Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, that Trump would reach out to Xi this week.

Context of the Call

This discussion emerged nearly a week after Trump publicly condemned China for failing to meet commitments outlined in a prior trade agreement established in May. Just a day before the call, Trump expressed frustration over Xi’s negotiating style, describing him as “extremely hard to make a deal with.”

The negotiations had initially led both nations to agree on a significant reduction of tariffs. The U.S. committed to lowering tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while China would cut tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%.

Accusations of Non-Compliance

Despite the apparent progress in discussions, Trump accused China of not upholding its end of the trade agreement, without providing detailed examples. In a social media post, he remarked, “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!”

Concerns from U.S. Trade Officials

On the same day, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that China had not lifted its non-tariff barriers as stipulated in the agreement. Greer emphasized, “The United States did exactly what it was supposed to do, and the Chinese are slow-rolling their compliance, which is completely unacceptable and has to be addressed.”

Chinese Reactions to U.S. Actions

In response to the ongoing tension, China called on the United States to reverse its course and rectify perceived errors. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, stated, “China once again urges the U.S. to immediately correct its erroneous actions, cease discriminatory restrictions against China and jointly uphold the consensus reached at the high-level talks in Geneva.”

Broader Implications for U.S.-China Relations

Trump’s invitation for Xi and Peng to visit America comes amid a broader context of heightened scrutiny on Chinese nationals studying in the U.S. The Trump administration has been implementing stricter measures on student visa holders, with Trump suggesting that he might “aggressively” rescind visas for students from China.

A Shifting Narrative

The recent phone call signifies a potential shift in the public narrative surrounding U.S.-China relations. While Trump has expressed enthusiasm over his conversation with Xi, the backdrop of unresolved trade issues and accusations of non-compliance could overshadow these positive developments.

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the international community will be keenly watching how both leaders navigate these complex issues moving forward. Future dialogues are crucial for fostering a more stable and cooperative relationship between the two economic powerhouses, especially in an era marked by uncertainty.