President Donald Trump said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has “more or less agreed” to speed up China’s purchases of American goods. The comment came after the two leaders spoke on the phone — a call that China described as “positive, friendly, and constructive.”
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he asked Xi to buy more US goods and to do it faster. “I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by President Xi’s actions,” he said.
Progress on Trade
The call comes at a time when China has restarted buying US soybeans and paused its plans to expand limits on rare earth exports. These steps are part of the easing tension between the two countries over tariffs.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China has promised to buy 12 million metric tonnes of US soybeans this year. However, only about two million tonnes have been purchased so far.
Trump’s conversation with Xi follows their recent meeting in South Korea, where both agreed on the framework of a new trade deal that still needs to be finalized.
Other Topics Discussed
The two leaders also spoke about Taiwan, Ukraine, and the fentanyl crisis. Chinese state media reported that Xi stressed that Taiwan’s return to China is “an important part of the post-war international order.”
The United States continues to follow a policy of strategic ambiguity on Taiwan but encourages the island to strengthen its defense.
Future Visits Planned
Trump said he has accepted Xi’s invitation to visit Beijing in April and has also invited Xi for a state visit to the US later this year.
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the US requested the call, with spokesperson Mao Ning saying it was “positive, friendly, and constructive,” and that communication between both sides is essential for stable relations.
