Trump and Xi Expected to Speak This Week Amid Ongoing Trade Issues
White House officials predict a conversation between President Trump and President Xi Jinping this week. The call is anticipated due to tariff-related disputes, including mineral exports. Meanwhile, existing exemptions from tariffs on certain Chinese products will continue until August 31 amid ongoing negotiations, while the legal status of several tariffs remains under challenge.
In a fast-paced announcement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to have a conversation this week. This assertion comes on the heels of Trump accusing China of breaching an agreement regarding tariff rollbacks. Leavitt’s comments are the latest from high-ranking Trump officials, hinting at an imminent call to address the fallout from last month’s tariff discussions in Geneva.
While the exact timing of the call remains uncertain, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent provided further reassurance on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that the two leaders would speak soon. Bessent highlighted that trade disputes, particularly over critical minerals and China’s export restrictions, will be central to their discussions. Trump expressed confidence about connecting with Xi but noted that China had not communicated with him recently.
In related trade news, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office recently announced it would extend the exemption of certain solar manufacturing equipment and other goods from existing tariffs on Chinese imports until August 31. This offers a three-month reprieve while ongoing negotiations with Beijing unfold. Bessent had led talks in Geneva that produced a brief ceasefire in the trade war between the U.S. and China, yet any significant advancement has lagged since.
The U.S.-China agreement aimed to reduce tariffs—some exceeding triple digits—for a 90-day period, which briefly boosted global stock markets. However, it fell short of addressing the core issues that led to these tariffs in the first place. Notably, these include long-standing grievances regarding China’s state-controlled, export-oriented economic structure, which remain unresolved and are slated for future discussions.
Further complicating the trade landscape, a U.S. trade court had ruled on Wednesday that Trump had exceeded his authority when implementing many tariffs under an emergency powers act. However, this decision was swiftly challenged; less than a day later, a federal appeals court reinstated the tariffs and called for responses to be filed by the relevant parties by early June. This back-and-forth illustrates the ongoing legal and political complexities surrounding U.S.-China trade relations.
Reporting from Katharine Jackson, Doina Chiacu, and Andrea Shalal contributed to this piece, with editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Rod Nickel.
In summary, President Trump and President Xi Jinping are expected to speak soon amid ongoing trade tensions, particularly concerning tariffs and mineral exports. Despite a recent truce in trade negotiations in Geneva, significant issues remain unresolved. Moreover, the legal landscape surrounding tariffs continues to shift, complicating efforts to stabilize U.S.-China trade relations.
Original Source: www.yahoo.com
