🔗 Share this article

Leader Donald Trump has confirmed that he agreed to travel to the Chinese capital in April and asked Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit later next year, after a telephone conversation between the two leaders.

Trump and Xi—who met nearly a month ago in Korea—covered a range of issues including commerce, the Ukraine conflict, the opioid crisis, and the Taiwan issue, per the U.S. leader and Chinese officials.

"The U.S.-China ties is extremely strong!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Official Chinese media released a comment that noted both countries should "keep up the momentum, progress in the right direction on the foundation of fairness, esteem and common gain".

Earlier Talks and Trade Developments

The officials convened in Busan in the fall, following which they settled on a pause on trade taxes. The U.S. government chose to slash a 20% tariff by half targeting the movement of the drug fentanyl.

Duties stay on products from China and average just below 50%.

"Afterwards, the bilateral relations has generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory, and this is welcomed by the two countries and the wider global audience," the Beijing's announcement said.

• The US then retracted a threat of double tariffs on Chinese goods, while China delayed its scheme to implement its new set of limits on mineral exports.

Focus on Trade

The administration's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt commented that the recent conversation with Xi—which went on for an hour—was centered on commerce.

"We are pleased with what we've witnessed from the China, and they agree," she said.

Additional Issues

In addition to talking about economic matters, Xi and Trump discussed the issues of the Ukraine war and Taiwan.

Xi informed Trump that Taiwan's "reunification with China" is vital for the Chinese outlook for the "world order following wars".

The Chinese government has been involved in a foreign policy clash with Tokyo, a U.S. friend, over the longstanding "uncertain policy" on the control of the independently administered island.

In the past few weeks, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that a potential assault from Beijing on the island could compel a reaction by Tokyo's army.

Trump, though, did not mention the Taiwan issue in his online message about the call.

America's envoy to Tokyo, George Glass, noted before that the United States stands with Tokyo in the context of China's "intimidation".