US President Trump Announces April China Visit After Call with President Xi
President Donald Trump has announced his agreement to visit Beijing in April and has extended an invitation for Chinese President Xi Jinping to conduct a state visit to the United States next year. These announcements followed a phone call between the two leaders on Monday.
Key Discussions
The approximately one-hour call involved discussions on a range of topics including trade, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, fentanyl, and Taiwan. This information was reported by both President Trump and China's foreign ministry.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the call primarily focused on trade. She was quoted as saying, "We are pleased with what we've seen from the Chinese, and they feel the same way."
China's state news agency released a statement indicating that both nations should "keep up the momentum, keep moving forward in the right direction on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit." The statement also noted that "the China-US relationship has generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory" since the leaders' last meeting, which is "welcomed by the two countries and the broader international community."
Trade Relations
The leaders last met in October in Busan, South Korea, where they agreed to a truce on tariffs. Following this, the United States reduced a 20% tariff by half, aimed at decreasing the flow of fentanyl.
Tariffs on Chinese goods currently remain in place, averaging just below 50%.
The US subsequently withdrew a threat of 100% additional tariffs on Chinese goods, while China concurrently postponed its plan to introduce its latest round of rare earth export controls.
Taiwan and Regional Dynamics
During the call, President Xi conveyed to President Trump that Taiwan's "return to China" is considered essential for China's vision of a "post-war international order."
China has been involved in diplomatic discussions with Japan, a US ally, concerning the sovereignty of self-governed Taiwan.
Earlier this month, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that a Chinese action against Taiwan could prompt a Japanese military response.
US Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, previously affirmed US support for Tokyo concerning China's actions, which Glass characterized as "coercion."
President Trump's Truth Social post regarding the call did not include any mention of Taiwan.