U.S. President Donald Trump held an “excellent” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, (4 February), to discuss trade, energy, Taiwan, Iran, and Russia’s war in Ukraine, ahead of Trump’s planned visit to Beijing in April.
The call came hours after Xi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders pledged to strengthen bilateral ties amid a “turbulent” international environment.
Trump described his discussion with Xi as “very positive” and emphasised that both leaders valued maintaining strong personal and diplomatic relations.
During the call, Trump highlighted commercial ties between the U.S. and China, including energy purchases, agricultural products, and aircraft deliveries. He said China had agreed to increase its purchase of U.S. soybeans from 12 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes in the current season, with a commitment to 25 million tonnes next season.
Both sides did not comment on ongoing tensions over rare earth minerals or China’s role in Venezuela.
Xi, meanwhile, stressed that Taiwan remains the most important issue in China–U.S. relations, urging the U.S. to handle arms sales to the self-governing island with “great prudence” and reaffirming China’s position that Taiwan is part of its territory.
The U.S. approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, one of its largest ever, to strengthen the island’s defences.
Trump also raised the situation in Iran, which has been experiencing unrest and a harsh crackdown on protestors, and Russia’s war in Ukraine, calling for Beijing’s cooperation in addressing these global flashpoints.
The Chinese readout framed the discussion in measured terms, noting that both sides had concerns but solutions could be found if approached with “reciprocity.”
Analysts expect Trump and Xi to finalise agreements on Boeing aircraft deliveries and other commercial deals during the April visit, potentially easing some tariffs on Chinese exports.
Trump has previously mentioned his personal relationship with Xi as a tool to advance U.S. strategic and economic interests, even as tensions continue over Taiwan, trade disputes, and competing geopolitical ambitions.
U.S. President Donald Trump held an “excellent” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, (4 February), to discuss trade, energy,...
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 5th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States and Argentina have signed a framework agreement to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals on Thursday (4 February), reaffirming a shared commitment to building secure, resilient and competitive supply chains.
Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes killed 24 Palestinians including seven children in Gaza on Wednesday (4 February), health officials said, the latest violence to undermine the nearly four-month-old ceasefire.
An explosion and fire erupted after a fuel-laden freight train derailed at Kochyetovka station in Michurinsk, Russia, on Tuesday (4 February), halting rail traffic and triggering a major emergency response, authorities said.
Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío has denied that Havana and Washington have entered formal negotiations, countering recent assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump, while saying the island is open to dialogue under certain conditions.
Talks with the U.S. should be pursued to secure national interests as long as "threats and unreasonable expectations" are avoided, President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X on Tuesday (3 February).
Rivers and reservoirs across Spain and Portugal were on the verge of overflowing on Wednesday as a new weather front pounded the Iberian peninsula, compounding damage from last week's Storm Kristin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Tuesday (3 February) of exploiting a U.S.-backed energy ceasefire to stockpile weapons and launch large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine ahead of peace talks.
Paris prosecutors have summoned X chairman Elon Musk and former chief executive Linda Yaccarino for questioning in April as part of their probe into the X social media network, they said on Tuesday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 5th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States and Argentina have signed a framework agreement to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals on Thursday (4 February), reaffirming a shared commitment to building secure, resilient and competitive supply chains.
An explosion and fire erupted after a fuel-laden freight train derailed at Kochyetovka station in Michurinsk, Russia, on Tuesday (4 February), halting rail traffic and triggering a major emergency response, authorities said.
Ukrainian and Russian officials wrapped up a "productive" first day of new U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi, Kyiv's lead negotiator said on Wednesday (4 February).
Nearly 200 people were killed when armed men launched coordinated attacks on remote villages in western and northern Nigeria, authorities and residents said on Wednesday (4 February). Officials described the assaults as among the deadliest this year, amid the country’s worsening security crisis.
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