Xi and Trump talk by phone, Chinese state media report
· Michael West
In a rare diplomatic exchange, Chinese President Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Tuesday, according to a report from China Central Television (CCTV). The conversation, which took place in the early hours of the day, was described by the state broadcaster as a “friendly and constructive” dialogue. While the exact topics were not disclosed, officials said the call covered a range of bilateral issues, including trade, security, and the ongoing U.S. sanctions on China’s technology sector. The meeting follows a series of high‑level talks between the two leaders in 2023, during which they pledged to maintain open channels of communication amid escalating tensions over trade, technology, and geopolitical influence in the Indo‑Pacific region.
Xi’s outreach to Trump comes at a time when Beijing is seeking to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs and technology restrictions that have intensified since the Biden administration took office. Trump, who has maintained a critical stance toward China’s economic practices, reportedly expressed concerns about the U.S. approach to trade and intellectual property. Analysts suggest that the call may have been an attempt by both sides to explore avenues for de‑escalation and to set the stage for future negotiations. The conversation also underscores the broader trend of back‑channel diplomacy, as leaders from both countries continue to use informal communication to address complex issues that are difficult to resolve through formal diplomatic channels alone.
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