BEIJING, Jan 18 (Alliance News): US President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a positive phone call on Friday, discussing key issues including TikTok, trade, and Taiwan just days before Trump’s second inauguration.
The leaders expressed optimism about US-China relations, with Trump describing the call as “very good” and Xi hopeful for a positive start in bilateral ties.
In the conversation, Trump highlighted his expectations of solving problems together, touching on trade, the fentanyl crisis, and national security concerns surrounding TikTok, which is facing a potential US ban unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance divests its US operations by Sunday.
Trump also expressed his commitment to creating a peaceful world while Xi raised concerns about Taiwan. He emphasized that Taiwan’s status is a matter of China’s sovereignty, urging the US to address it with caution.
The conversation comes amid high-stakes diplomatic tensions as Trump plans a tougher stance on trade, with a proposed 10% tariff on all US imports and a 60% duty on Chinese goods.
Trump had been a vocal supporter of Taiwan during his first term, prompting potential further tensions with China.