Donald Trump, Xi Jinping Likely To Speak As Trade Tensions Simmer
The last known conversation between Trump and Xi took place in January before the US president’s inauguration.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to speak this week, according to a Trump administration official, as the world’s two largest economies remain locked in trade turmoil.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide a date for a potential call nor did they guarantee one would occur. CNBC reported earlier on the administration’s expectation.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Washington and Beijing have traded accusations that each has violated the terms of last month’s broad agreement that saw both sides reduce tariffs from astronomical highs. The barbs have threatened to undo the fragile truce, which would provoke fresh worries for global markets.
Trump has long said that direct talks with Xi were the only way to resolve differences between the nations, but the Chinese leader has been reluctant to get on the phone with his American counterpart — preferring that advisers negotiate key issues.
The last known conversation between Trump and Xi took place in January before the US president’s inauguration.
Top Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett signaled Sunday the White House was anticipating a call this week with the Chinese leader.
“President Trump, we expect, is going to have a wonderful conversation about the trade negotiations this week with President Xi. That’s our expectation,” Hassett said on ABC’s This Week.
The US has accused China of reneging on a promise to relax export controls on rare earths needed for cutting-edge electronics. Beijing, in turn, has criticized Washington for its own restrictions of critical jet engine parts, curbs on access to chip-design software, limits on Huawei Technologies Co. chips and a crackdown on student visas.
