For months, President Donald Trump has suggested his personal relationship with China’s Xi Jinping will be what unlocks the world’s most consequential trade dispute. Yet he couldn’t get Xi on the telephone for weeks. The long period of silence between the leaders will — at least in the White House’s telling — come to an end this week. A string of US officials have all but confirmed a call between Trump and Xi is imminent and could occur as early as Thursday, even though Beijing remains tight-lipped. “I am afraid we don’t have comments for you right now,” a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington said in response to questions about the forthcoming conversation. The discrepancy in how each side was talking — or not talking — about the call ahead of time only underscored the widening gulf between the world’s two largest economies. Each side seems convinced the call could fall through at any moment. And it’s not only fights over tariffs, critical minerals, jet engine parts or computer chips that have caused a rift. It’s also a matter of the two leaders’ vastly different styles. While Trump is eager to apply his dealmaking tactics directly with Xi, his model of leader-to-leader haggling is entirely at odds with how Chinese officials approach global negotiations. Deeply wary of Trump’s unpredictability and track record of putting foreign leaders in awkward or embarrassing situations, Chinese officials had put off a phone call, according to people familiar, even as Trump stated on multiple occasions this spring that he expected to speak with Xi soon. His Oval Office ambushes of Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa caught the attention of officials in China, those people added, and officials wanted to avoid anything similar, even in a private conversation. Former Trump and Biden administration officials describe meetings and calls with Xi as heavily scripted. Little is left to chance, they said, and even the small items – like timing and translation – are heavily negotiated among staff ahead of time. When President Joe Biden met Xi outside San Francisco two years ago, details as minute as the type of flowers sitting on the table between the two men were subject to delicate and intense discussions between the two sides, officials said at the time. On phone calls with US presidents, Xi typically reads directly from prepared talking points that are often verbatim of what he’s said in previous conversations, the former officials said. When Xi briefly put down his script to offer off-the-cuff reminiscences during his final meeting last year with Biden – a man he’d known for more than a decade – US officials regarded it as a major show of respect. The stilted format makes it nearly impossible to delve into specifics that haven’t been agreed to ahead of time. Any actual negotiation on trade deals or joint statements often happens among staff weeks or months ahead of time. That is not how Trump prefers to operate. As his press secretary said this week, his is a “top-down approach,” where policy discussions originate from the Resolute Desk. “He’s very much involved in literally every policy discussion and decision that takes place,” Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday when questioned about a reduction in the size of Trump’s National Security Council. That has been especially true on China, according to officials. Trump regards securing a new agreement with Beijing both as a critical component of his broader trade agenda and as a necessary follow-up from his first term, when trade deals with China got derailed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump views his relationship with Xi through a personal lens, harkening back to their interactions during his first term. It only took 76 days after Trump’s 2017 swearing-in for Xi to fly to Mar-a-Lago, where he was served a “beautiful” piece of chocolate cake and serenaded in Mandarin by Trump’s granddaughter. Xi has proven far more difficult to reach in Trump’s second term – and he’s shown no similar rush to pay a visit to Florida, frustrating the US president. The last time Trump is known to have spoken with Xi was on January 17, days ahead of his second inauguration. “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately,” Trump said afterward. But the problem-solving did not start immediately. Instead, the relationship between the two countries quickly worsened after Trump applied stiff new tariffs that eventually rose to 145%. China retaliated, creating a tit-for-tat trade war that has expanded over the course of Trump’s five months in office. Talks last month in Geneva, which were intended to alleviate tensions, at first appeared to yield some progress – both sides vowed to lower some of the tariffs. But weeks later, the US accused China of reneging on an agreement to ease restrictions of certain critical minerals used to produce magnets. And instead of improving, the trade war has expanded into a battle over supply chains, which both countries see as essential to their respective national security needs. Trump has expanded punitive measures toward China to include revoking visas for Chinese students studying at American universities and restricting the export of certain software used to design advanced semiconductors. The worsening tensions emphasized the need for the two leaders to speak directly. “The trade teams on both sides have determined that this needed to be elevated to the top,” a senior White House official said of the impending call. Trump is expected to bring up the pace at which China is exporting critical minerals – he believes Beijing is intentionally moving slower than promised during the Geneva talks, that official said. Another official said they expected Trump to do some level-setting: Trump has said publicly that China will suffer from the lack of a trade deal, a belief held by many administration officials, which in their view gives them leverage in talks with the superpower. “I’m confident that when President Trump and Party Chairman Xi have a call that this will be ironed out,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said over the weekend. For his part, Trump seemed to be mulling the looming conversation in the wee hours this week. “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 wrote on Truth Social at 2:17 a.m. on Wednesday.
Why Trump has struggled to get Xi on the phone to talk trade
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Challenges in U.S.-China Trade Negotiations Highlighted by Communication Gaps"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
For several months, President Donald Trump has maintained that his personal rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping is key to resolving the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China. However, he faced significant challenges in establishing communication with Xi, going weeks without a conversation. Recently, U.S. officials have indicated that a call between the two leaders is on the horizon, potentially occurring as soon as Thursday, although Chinese officials have remained silent on the matter. This prolonged lack of communication highlights the growing divide between the world's two largest economies, with both sides recognizing the precariousness of the situation. The differences in negotiation styles between Trump and Xi contribute to the difficulties. Trump’s preference for direct, informal deal-making contrasts sharply with the highly scripted and cautious approach favored by Chinese officials, who are wary of Trump's unpredictable nature, especially following his past interactions with other world leaders that were perceived as awkward or embarrassing. As a result, Chinese officials have been hesitant to engage in phone discussions, despite Trump's repeated assertions throughout the spring that he anticipated speaking with Xi soon.
The complexities of U.S.-China relations have intensified as the trade conflict has evolved into broader issues of supply chain security and national interests. Trump's administration has enacted stringent measures against China, including steep tariffs that have escalated the trade war and restrictions on Chinese students studying in the U.S. In light of these tensions, the necessity for direct dialogue between Trump and Xi has become evident. The upcoming call is expected to address several contentious topics, including the pace of China's export of critical minerals, which Trump believes has been slower than previously agreed upon. Both sides appear to agree that elevating discussions to the highest level is essential for progress. Trump, reflecting on his relationship with Xi, expressed his appreciation for the Chinese leader while also acknowledging the challenges in negotiating with him. This upcoming conversation may prove crucial in determining the future trajectory of U.S.-China trade relations, as both leaders seek to navigate the complexities of their countries' economic interactions.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the complexities surrounding trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, particularly focusing on the difficulties President Trump faces in establishing direct communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This analysis will explore the implications of the reported communication struggles and what they signify for U.S.-China relations.
Motivation Behind the Article
The piece aims to highlight the tension that exists between the two leaders and their respective countries, suggesting that their personal relationship is pivotal to resolving trade disputes. By emphasizing the difficulties in communication, the article may be attempting to create a narrative of uncertainty and potential instability in U.S.-China relations.
Public Perception and Messaging
The article likely seeks to instill a sense of apprehension among readers regarding the state of international trade and diplomacy. By detailing the communication gap and the contrasting negotiation styles of Trump and Xi, it paints a picture of a fractured relationship that could have broad implications for global economics and politics.
Potential Concealments
While the article discusses the immediate challenges in communication, it may gloss over deeper systemic issues affecting U.S.-China relations, such as economic dependencies or geopolitical maneuvers that could further complicate negotiations. The focus on personal dynamics might distract from these broader concerns.
Manipulative Elements
The framing of the leaders’ contrasting styles could be perceived as manipulative, as it draws a sharp line between Trump’s approach and Xi’s, potentially casting Trump in a negative light. The language used, which suggests unpredictability and difficulty in negotiations, may sway public opinion against Trump’s leadership style in the context of foreign policy.
Reliability of the Information
The article appears credible, drawing on insights from officials and experts familiar with the situation. However, its reliance on unnamed sources and the lack of direct quotes from Chinese officials may raise questions about the accuracy of the claims regarding Xi’s reluctance to communicate.
Societal Impacts
This narrative could lead to increased anxiety among businesses and investors regarding trade policies, potentially influencing market behavior. If the perceived instability grows, it may result in economic repercussions, such as fluctuations in stock prices, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on trade with China.
Targeted Communities
The article likely resonates more with audiences concerned about international affairs, global trade, and economic policy. It may appeal to business leaders, policymakers, and individuals interested in the implications of U.S.-China relations on domestic and global economics.
Market Implications
Given the focus on trade talks, this news could influence stock prices in industries like technology and manufacturing, which are directly affected by U.S.-China trade relations. Companies with significant exposure to tariffs or supply chain dependencies might see volatility based on perceived progress or setbacks in negotiations.
Geopolitical Significance
The article touches on a critical aspect of global power dynamics. The difficulties in U.S.-China communication reflect broader tensions that could shift alliances and economic strategies across the world. In today’s context, the implications of these negotiations are highly relevant, especially considering ongoing global issues like supply chain disruptions and economic recovery.
Use of AI in Article Composition
There is a possibility that AI models were utilized in drafting the article, especially in structuring and summarizing complex geopolitical topics. The stylistic choices, such as the framing of Trump’s negotiation tactics and the emphasis on Xi’s cautiousness, might suggest an algorithmic approach to presenting information in a way that engages the reader while conveying urgency.
In conclusion, while the article provides valuable insights into the current state of U.S.-China relations, it also reflects underlying tensions and potential biases in its portrayal of the leaders' communication challenges. The reliability of the information is reasonable, but the narrative crafted may serve specific agendas in shaping public perception of trade negotiations.