Trump, Xi Resume Talks After First Call Since Trade War

In early June 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first phone call since the escalation of the U.S.-China trade war, marking a notable moment in strained bilateral relations. The call, initiated by Trump, led to mutual invitations for official visits and an agreement by Xi to resume exports of rare earth minerals to the U.S., easing supply chain concerns, particularly for the auto industry. Despite these positive steps, experts suggest the conversation underscored China's upper hand in negotiations, with Xi using the interaction to reinforce his image as a strong leader domestically and internationally. Xi emphasized the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and honoring trade agreements while urging the U.S. to remove negative measures against China and handle contentious issues such as Taiwan cautiously to avoid confrontation. Both leaders reiterated a commitment to use existing economic and trade consultation mechanisms to seek win-win outcomes, though fundamental trade disputes remain unresolved. The call was seen as a temporary de-escalation amid ongoing tensions and complex structural differences between the two economic powers.