Ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke by phone late Friday, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.
The conversation marks an early interaction between the two leaders as tensions between the world’s two largest economies remain high. Key issues such as trade, technology, the fentanyl crisis, and the self-governed island of Taiwan loom large as potential flashpoints in Trump’s second term.
Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, describing it as “a very good one for both China and the U.S.A.” He stated that the two leaders discussed topics including trade, the ongoing fentanyl epidemic, and the social media platform TikTok, which has faced scrutiny over national security concerns in the U.S.
In related news, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to uphold a ban on TikTok, signaling a landmark decision aimed at addressing national security concerns. The ruling ensures the app’s removal from U.S. markets and intensifies tensions with China, where TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based.
Xi Jinping will not attend Trump’s inauguration but will be represented by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. As the U.S. and China navigate an increasingly fraught relationship, this conversation could signal efforts toward a more cooperative tone—or a prelude to further tensions. All eyes now turn to Trump’s upcoming term and the policies that will define his administration’s approach to Beijing.
