Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held a pivotal phone conversation on Friday, addressing bilateral trade concerns and the TikTok controversy while reaffirming commitments to cooperation. The discussion marked a rare high-level exchange amid ongoing economic tensions between the world's two largest economies.
Historical Ties and Modern Challenges
President Xi opened by recalling the countries' WWII alliance, stating: "The Chinese people will never forget the valuable support provided by the United States and other anti-fascist allies." This historical reference framed subsequent discussions on contemporary issues.
Trade and Tech in Focus
Xi emphasized China's opposition to unilateral trade measures that could "undermine the results of multiple rounds of trade talks," urging Washington to maintain market principles. On TikTok's U.S. operations, Xi clarified: "Chinese enterprises should conduct negotiations based on market principles while complying with Chinese laws."
Trump acknowledged the relationship's global significance, stating: "U.S.-China cooperation can accomplish great things for global peace." He expressed commitment to resolving the TikTok issue through consultations while promoting bilateral economic cooperation.
Path Forward
Both leaders emphasized creating fair business environments, with Xi calling for "open, non-discriminatory" conditions for Chinese firms in America. The dialogue signals potential de-escalation of recent tech and trade frictions, though implementation details remain unclear.
