Donald Trump has said he will visit China after speaking to its leader Xi Jinping over the phone. The US president said he had reciprocated with an invite to the White House during the "very good talk" - though such a trip has not been confirmed by either side. Thursday's call is the first time the two leaders have spoken since Trump launched a trade war with Beijing in February. Chinese state media reported that the call happened at the White House's request. Trump wrote on social media that the hour-and-a-half conversation was primarily focused on trade and had "resulted in a very positive conclusion for both countries". "He invited me to China and I invited him here," Trump said of the call with Xi while meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. "We both accepted, so I will be going there with the first lady at a certain point and he will be coming here hopefully with the first lady of China." The Chinese readout of the conversation mentioned the its invitation but not the reciprocal one to the White House. According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Xi reportedly told Trump that the US should "withdraw the negative measures it has taken against China". The Chinese leader was also said to have told Trump that China always kept its promises and since a consensus had been reached, both sides should abide by it - a reference to a recent deal between the two nations struck in Geneva. Both sides have accused the other of breaching the deal aimed at dramatically reducing trade tariffs - a deal Trump touted as a "total reset". It came after Trump raised tariffs on imports from a number of countries, but reserved the highest rates for China. Beijing responded with its own higher rates on US imports, sparking tit-for-tat increases that peaked at 145%. The tentative truce struck in May brought that US tariff on Chinese products down to 30%, while Beijing slashed levies on US imports to 10% and promised to lift barriers on critical mineral exports. The agreement gave both sides a 90-day deadline to try to reach a trade deal. But since then, talks have seemed to grind to a halt amid claims on both sides that the deal had been breached. The US has accused China of failing to restart shipments of critical minerals and rare earth magnets vital to car and computer industries. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has denied the claims and accused the US of undermining the deal by introducing new restrictions on computer chips. Trump introduced new export restrictions on semiconductor design software and announced it would revoke the visas of Chinese students. The US president said following the call that "there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products". He told reporters in the White House: "Chinese students can come, no problem, no problem - its an honour to have them frankly. But we want to check them." Chinese state media reported that Xi warned Washington that it should handle Taiwan "with caution" to avoid conflict, just days after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said China posed an "imminent" threat to the self-governed island. Hegseth told the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singaport that Beijing was "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power". China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be reunified, and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this. The US supports Taiwan militarily butdoes not officially recognise it due to the "One China" policy. According to the readout of Thursday's call given to Chinese media, Xi stressed that the US should handle the "Taiwan issue prudently to prevent a small number of Taiwan Independence separatists from dragging China and the US into a dangerous situation of conflict and confrontation". The call between Trump and Xi is long awaited and comes after months of silence between the two leaders. The White House has touted the possibility they might talk from week one of Trump's presidency - and earlier this week he finally vented his frustration on social media. Trump wrote: "I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!" Trump has made it clear that he likes to be involved in negotiations. But this is not the way China does business. Beijing prefers to appoint a negotiating team led by a trusted official. Any calls or meeting between heads of state are usually thoroughly planned and highly choreographed. The Chinese will also not want to be seen to bend to Washington's demands.
Trump confirms China trip after 'very good' call with Xi
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Trump Announces Planned Visit to China Following Call with Xi Jinping"
Bbc News
6.7
TruthLens AI Summary
Donald Trump has announced his intention to visit China following a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which he described as a 'very good talk.' This conversation marks the first interaction between the two leaders since the onset of a trade war initiated by Trump in February. While both leaders reportedly extended invitations to each other's countries, the details remain unconfirmed. During the hour-and-a-half call, which was initiated at the request of the White House, discussions centered around trade. Trump shared on social media that the dialogue concluded positively for both nations. However, the Chinese state media's summary of the call did not mention Trump's invitation to the White House, focusing instead on Xi's request for the US to retract negative measures against China. This reflects the ongoing tension and mutual accusations surrounding the trade agreements made earlier in the year, which aimed to reduce tariffs between the two countries.
The trade negotiations have been rocky, with both sides accusing each other of failing to uphold their commitments. Trump has criticized China for not resuming shipments of critical minerals necessary for American industries, while China has countered by alleging that the US is undermining the agreement through new restrictions on technology exports. The call also touched on sensitive geopolitical issues, including the status of Taiwan, with Xi urging the US to handle the situation carefully to avoid escalating tensions. This phone call, which comes after a prolonged period of silence between the two leaders, is significant as it highlights the complexities of US-China relations under Trump's presidency. Both leaders have different approaches to negotiations, with Trump preferring direct engagement while China typically relies on a structured negotiating team. The outcome of this conversation remains to be seen, particularly in light of the pressing trade and diplomatic issues at hand.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant diplomatic interaction between the United States and China, as President Trump confirms a planned visit to China following a phone conversation with President Xi Jinping. This interaction comes amid ongoing trade tensions and a history of tariff disputes that have characterized the bilateral relationship in recent years. The announcement of the trip, although not yet fully confirmed, is presented positively, suggesting a potential thaw in relations.
Diplomatic Tone and Implications
The language used in the article conveys a tone of optimism and cooperation. Trump describes the call as "very good," emphasizing the positive outcomes for both nations. This framing is likely intended to reassure the public and stakeholders that the U.S. is engaging constructively with China, despite the challenges posed by the trade war. The invitation exchanges suggest a diplomatic effort to build rapport and foster dialogue, which could stabilize economic and political relations.
Public Perception and Underlying Messages
By focusing on the positive aspects of the phone call and the planned visit, the article aims to shape public perception towards a more favorable view of U.S.-China relations. The emphasis on mutual invitations could be interpreted as a signal of progress and willingness to negotiate, potentially downplaying the severity of the trade disputes. However, the omission of the reciprocal invitation in the Chinese state media report could indicate that the narrative might be selectively crafted to create a specific image.
Potential Concealed Issues
While the article highlights the diplomatic communication, it does not delve into the complexities of the ongoing trade war nor does it address the specific criticisms or demands made by Xi during the call. For instance, Xi’s call for the U.S. to withdraw negative measures against China suggests underlying tensions that are not fully explored in this piece. This could lead to a lack of transparency regarding the actual state of negotiations and the challenges that remain.
Analysis of Reliability and Manipulation
The article presents information that appears factual, but the framing may exhibit a degree of manipulation by emphasizing positivity while glossing over significant issues. The selective reporting and focus on invitations rather than substantive trade discussions could be seen as a way to influence public sentiment favorably towards the administration's handling of foreign relations. The high stakes of the trade negotiations and the potential economic impacts are critical elements that might be downplayed or ignored.
Market Impact
Given the nature of U.S.-China trade relations, this news could influence market reactions, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on trade with China, such as technology and agriculture. Stocks of companies in these industries may see fluctuations based on perceptions of trade stability or tension. The announcement of a potential visit could be interpreted by investors as a sign of de-escalating trade conflicts, leading to positive market responses.
Global Power Dynamics
The conversation between Trump and Xi is relevant in the context of global power dynamics, especially as both nations continue to assert their influence on the world stage. The interaction and its portrayal could impact how other nations perceive U.S. foreign policy and its engagement with China. As the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected, the outcomes of these discussions will have far-reaching implications.
In conclusion, while the article reports on a significant diplomatic engagement, the underlying complexities of the U.S.-China relationship are not fully addressed, potentially leading to a skewed public perception. The call for a more cooperative approach contrasts with the ongoing trade tensions, raising questions about the sincerity and effectiveness of these diplomatic efforts.