President Donald Trump has lauded the strength of U.S.-China relations, describing them as “very strong” following a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The call, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, focused on a range of issues including Taiwan.
“Our relationship with China is very strong,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This call was a follow-up to our very successful meeting in South Korea three weeks ago.” He added that he had accepted Xi’s invitation to visit Beijing in April, with President Xi expected to visit the United States later in 2026.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the conversation centered on the future of bilateral relations, trade issues, and the situation in Ukraine, but emphasized that Taiwan was a key topic. President Xi reportedly stressed that the “return of Taiwan to China” is a fundamental part of Beijing’s vision for the post-World War II international order, asserting that China and the United States had previously worked together to protect the international system and should continue to do so.
Trump’s Truth Social post made no mention of the Taiwan issue. White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt announced that the hour-long call covered trade, Ukraine, fentanyl, and American agricultural products. She indicated that Washington was “satisfied with the pace of progress” and that Beijing “shared the same sentiment.”
The call comes weeks after the leaders met in Busan, South Korea, where they agreed to a framework for a trade agreement. The agreement reportedly involves Washington suspending 100% tariffs on Chinese imports in exchange for Beijing postponing the implementation of a licensing system for the export of rare earth minerals. The agreement also reportedly includes reductions in U.S. tariffs and China’s commitment to purchase at least 12 million tons of American soybeans this year and 25 million tons in 2026.
