Trump, Xi Talk Trade, TikTok, Peace In First Call Since 2021

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday engaged in his first conversation with China’s President Xi Jinping since his departure from the White House in 2021. This interaction comes just days before a senior Chinese official is scheduled to visit Washington.

What Happened: According to a Financial Times report, this call represents the first direct communication between Trump and Xi in a span of four years. The Chinese state media acknowledged the call but refrained from disclosing further details.

Trump shared details of the call on Friday via his social media platform, Truth Social. He expressed optimism about the potential for resolving several issues, stating, “It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately,” reported CNBC.

Trump emphasized the importance of addressing trade imbalances, fentanyl and TikTok, among other topics. He also noted that both he and Xi are committed to enhancing global peace and security, according to CNBC.

Following the conversation, Xi also conveyed his and Trump’s shared desire for improved U.S.-China relations, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The discussion about TikTok is particularly noteworthy, as it took place shortly before the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a federal law that will effectively ban the popular video-sharing app in the U.S. The law is set to take effect on Sunday.

Reports indicate that Trump’s incoming national security team has been communicating with Beijing officials, according to FT. This call took place three days prior to Trump’s inauguration in Washington, which is expected to be attended by Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng.

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Why It Matters: The timing of this call is crucial, especially considering the presence of high-profile tech leaders at Trump’s inauguration.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew is set to attend Trump’s inauguration, joining other tech magnates like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai is also expected to be present at the event.

This interaction between Trump and Xi, coupled with the presence of influential tech leaders at the inauguration, could potentially signal a shift in U.S.-China relations, particularly in the technology sector.

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