Donald Trump
Abayomi Susan
US President Donald Trump has confirmed his April visit to China after having an “excellent” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The conversation covered a range of topics, including trade, military issues, Taiwan, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Iran. Trump described the call as “long and thorough” and emphasized the strong personal relationship he shares with Xi, stating it’s “extremely good” and crucial for maintaining stable US-China ties .
During the call, Trump and Xi discussed increasing China’s purchases of US oil and gas, as well as agricultural products like soybeans. China agreed to lift soybean imports to 20 million tons for the current season and 25 million tons for the next season. The leaders also touched on airplane engine deliveries and Taiwan, with Xi stressing that Taiwan is Chinese territory and urging the US to handle arms sales with caution.
The phone call comes amid ongoing trade tensions and global geopolitical complexities. Trump has been pressing China to increase its purchases of US goods, while Xi has emphasized the importance of mutual respect and cooperation. The two leaders also discussed the situation in Iran, with Trump seeking China’s support in isolating Tehran.
Xi Jinping highlighted the Taiwan issue as the most important aspect of China-US relations, reiterating China’s stance on reunification. Trump, for his part, expressed optimism about achieving positive outcomes in US-China relations over the next three years.
The call with Xi followed a virtual meeting between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they discussed expanding Russia-China cooperation. Trump has previously stated that halting the war in Ukraine is a top priority, and he views pressure on Russia’s economy as key to bringing Putin to the negotiating table.
Trump’s upcoming visit to China in April is seen as an opportunity to strengthen US-China ties. The visit may involve discussions on trade, security, and global issues, with both sides aiming to stabilize their relationship.
Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, responded to the Trump-Xi call, stating that Taiwan-US relations are “rock-solid” and will continue unaffected. The US has law-bound commitments to provide Taiwan with defensive means.
