Details of the call between Trump and the Chinese president: trade, oil, and thorny issues
In a high-level diplomatic move reflecting the two superpowers' desire to reset bilateral relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a lengthy phone call with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in what has been described as a potential turning point in relations between Washington and Beijing. During the call, which took place on Wednesday, the two leaders emphasized the importance of direct dialogue to resolve outstanding issues in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
Chinese state media quoted President Xi Jinping as stressing the need to address contentious issues step by step, noting that “building mutual trust” is the only key to finding a path to harmony between the two countries. Xi expressed his hope that 2026 would be a pivotal year in which China and the United States move forward toward peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation, overcoming the obstacles of fierce competition that characterized previous years.
For his part, US President Donald Trump described the call as “excellent,” asserting via his Truth Social platform that his personal relationship with the Chinese president was “excellent.” Trump revealed detailed information about the conversation, which he described as “long and in-depth,” explaining that it covered a wide range of vital issues, from trade and defense to pressing geopolitical matters such as the situation in Taiwan, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and the Iranian nuclear program.
This call is particularly significant given the historical context of US-China relations, which have been marked by sharp trade tensions and tariff wars in the past. Analysts point out that the preliminary agreement announced by Trump, which includes a Chinese plan to purchase more US energy and agricultural products, including an increase of 20 million tons of soybeans this season, represents a significant economic breakthrough for American farmers and a step toward reducing the trade deficit.
Furthermore, discussing sensitive issues like Taiwan and Ukraine in a single call indicates both sides' awareness of the need for joint coordination to prevent the escalation of international crises. The announcement of Trump's upcoming visit to China in April also reinforces expectations of preparations for major deals that could reshape the global economic and political landscape, fostering a sense of cautious optimism in global markets, which are anticipating a stabilization of relations between the world's two largest economies.
