Xinhua: Chinese, US presidents hold phone talks

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, following a request from the latter.

Details of the conversation have not yet been disclosed, Caliber.Az reports per Xinhua.

On June 5, Trump said it was “extremely hard” to reach an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping, even as the White House had hinted the two leaders might speak this week amid heightened trade tensions.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that trade negotiations were “a bit stalled” and likely required intervention from both presidents. Earlier in the week, a senior White House official told CNBC that a Trump–Xi call was expected, but it remained unclear whether such a conversation had been scheduled.

“I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Tensions have grown since both countries accused each other of breaching a May 12 trade deal agreed in Switzerland. The accord included a 90-day suspension of most tariffs and a rollback of China’s retaliatory measures.

Washington has expressed frustration over Beijing’s failure to ease restrictions on rare earths exports, while Beijing criticised U.S. efforts to curb China’s access to advanced technology. The Trump administration recently announced plans to revoke visas for Chinese students.

During talks with new U.S. Ambassador David Perdue, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Washington’s latest actions were based on “groundless reasons,” and undermined China’s “legitimate rights and interests,” according to an official readout.

By Aghakazim Guliyev