This combination of pictures created on November 07, 2024 shows former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 4, 2024, and Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) at a press conference in Belgrade, on May 8, 2024. Chinese President Xi Jinping held phone talks on January 17, 2025, with US president-elect Donald Trump, Chinese state media reported. CCTV said the phone call happened “on the evening of January 17” without providing any immediate further details. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU and Elvis Barukcic / AFP)
WASHINGTON, United States — Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Friday, days before the incoming US president returns to the White House, with both leaders vowing to take a positive approach to improving ties between the rival countries.
Xi said he hoped for a “good start” to relations with Trump, who in turn said “it is my expectation that we will solve many problems together.”
Article continues after this advertisementTrump in the election campaign threatened China and other US trading partners with huge tariffs, but he has also said he is open to talks with Xi, a leader he has long openly admired.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Foul play eyed in OFW's death in Kuwait GLOBALNATION China says population fell for third year in a row in 2024 GLOBALNATION 2 South Africans caught with P97-M shabu at NaiaThe threat of a 10 percent tariff on Chinese products, in addition to existing tariffs dating back to Trump’s first term, is driven by accusations that China allows fentanyl’s chemical components to flow into Mexico and onto America where the drug causes 70,000 overdose deaths a year.
“We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects,” Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social after their call. “President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!”
Article continues after this advertisementThe US Congress passed a law last year forcing TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell the platform or close it by Sunday due to national security concerns, but Trump opposes the ban.
Article continues after this advertisementThe law resulted from widespread belief in Washington that the highly popular app could be used by China for spying or propaganda.
Article continues after this advertisement Confrontational TrumpTrump’s impending return to the Oval Office has stirred fears that tensions between the world’s two largest economies could worsen rapidly on several fronts.
This week Beijing slammed comments by Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, as “unwarranted attacks,” after Rubio called China “the most… dangerous near-peer adversary” the United States had ever faced.
jili slot jackpot Article continues after this advertisementRubio said that China cheated its way to superpower status, and he vowed to ramp up defenses of Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island claimed by Beijing, to prevent a “cataclysmic military intervention.”
Xi said on the call that “the Taiwan question concerns China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it is hoped that the US side handles it with caution,” the state-run Xinhua news agency said.
Trump said he wished to meet Xi soon, Xinhua reported, adding that Trump had requested Friday’s call.
Preliminary data from the BSP showed that net income rose to P95.2 billion as of end-July, up by 414 percent from the P18.5 billion in the same period last year.
The Biden administration has largely worked to ease friction with Beijing and said that China has taken some action on fentanyl.
In his farewell speech, Biden said that China would “never surpass” the United States, which would remain the world’s dominant superpower.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
He added that by managing complex ties with Beijingsugarplay, he had ensured the relationship “never tipped over into conflict” in his four years as president.
READ NEXT Trump, Xi speak by phone, vow improved ties despite threats Foul play eyed in OFW’s death in Kuwait EDITORS' PICK PBA: Mikey Williams says he ‘always’ wants to play for TNT NPCC evaluates steps for DA to declare food security emergency PBA: San Miguel makes another import switch this conference China says population fell for third year in a row in 2024 Legarda supports passage of measure increasing DFA retirees’ pension Manila Water now manages and maintains 5,542-km East Zone network MOST READ NLEX warns of heavy traffic on Jan. 18-19 due to PH Arena concert BSP eyes PH shift to coin-lite society PH, China agree to honor provisional understanding on Ayungin trips PNP summons mall guard over viral video mistreating young vendor Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments
Telephone Consult
