The issues Trump and Xi addressed, namely trade, TikTok and fentanyl, are the three pillars that govern the future relationship between the United States and China. The conversation, among other things, took place shortly before the US Supreme Court upheld a federal law that will effectively ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok in the US.
Donald Trump has a knack for antagonizing and confusing China. During his first presidential campaign, he accused China of “raping” the United States through unfair trade practices. But later in his first term as U.S. president, Trump also called Chinese President Xi Jinping a “good friend.” Throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump suggested he would be tough on China in a second term, and with his inauguration just days away, nothing seems to be changing. However, the president often gives mixed signals.
TRUMP-XI JINPING PHONE CALL
“I just spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The call was very positive, both for China and the United States,” confirmed Donald Trump, emphasizing that he had had a phone conversation with Xi Jinping at a very special moment, a few days after his official inauguration in the White House. “I expect that we will solve many problems together, starting immediately,” he added on the social network “Truth,” specifying that he had discussed various topics with the Chinese leader, including “trade balance, fentanyl, TikTok and many other topics.”
“President Xi and I will do everything we can to make the world more peaceful and secure,” Donald assured later. The news was also confirmed by Chinese state television, CCTV, which, however, did not provide important details, limiting itself to reporting that the call took place “on the afternoon of January 17”. China announced today that Xi would send Vice President Han Zheng to Trump’s inauguration ceremony next Monday in Washington. After the call, Reuters wrote, the Chinese president said that he and Trump expressed hope for greater progress in US-China relations.
US-CHINA DIALOGUE
Meanwhile, in recent hours, Beijing has criticized the “groundless attacks” made by Marco Rubio, the incoming US Secretary of State. In his confirmation hearing before the Senate, Rubio had described China as “the most powerful and dangerous adversary” Washington has ever faced. “The United States should properly understand China, end groundless attacks and smear campaigns,” responded from a distance, chancellery spokesman Guo Jiakun. In December, Xi said China was willing to engage in dialogue and “expand cooperation” with the United States, warning that a trade war “would have no winners.”
THE THREE “PILLARS”
The issues Trump and Xi discussed — trade, TikTok and fentanyl — are the three pillars that will shape future U.S.-China relations. The conversation, among other things, came just before the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal law that would effectively ban the popular video-sharing app TikTok in the U.S. The law is set to take effect on Sunday, and it is currently unclear how Trump, who has credited TikTok with helping him defeat Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election, will handle the impending ban.
However, the situation regarding trade is different. Recall that Trump had waged a fierce trade war with Beijing during his first term, imposing tariffs on imports from the world’s second-largest economy. During the election campaign, Republicans also threatened to impose more severe measures, accusing the Asian giant of unfair trade practices and of contributing to a devastating fentanyl crisis in the United States. It remains to be seen whether Xi and Trump will manage to ease the pressure and improve relations between the two major planetary powers.