Trump and Xi Hold 90-Minute Call; U.S. Claims Rare Earth Issues Are Over | WPN World People News

On the evening of June 5, U.S. President Donald John Trump held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This marked their first direct conversation since Trump’s return to the White House. The discussion covered details of the U.S.-China trade agreement and rare earth exports, and both leaders extended invitations for state visits.

The call lasted approximately 90 minutes. Trump stated that the outcome of the discussion had a very positive impact on both countries, with the conversation focusing primarily on trade policy. Topics such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran were not discussed. He also noted that U.S. and Chinese trade representatives would meet again, aiming to break the stalemate over tariffs and global rare earth supply issues, though the meeting location has yet to be determined.

Chinese state media reported that after the call, the U.S. should acknowledge progress in trade negotiations and welcome Chinese students to study in the U.S. while lifting negative measures against China. During the call, President Xi emphasized that the U.S. should handle the Taiwan issue with caution to avoid a small number of individuals pushing the two countries into a dangerous confrontation. In response, Trump reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the One-China policy, suggesting that a preliminary consensus was reached on sensitive topics.

Although Trump claimed that the trade talks with China were progressing smoothly, the statements issued by both sides after the call seemed like they came from parallel worlds, highlighting the lack of substantial progress in the negotiations. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a U.S. think tank, commented that the call merely paused the escalation of the trade war without addressing the core tensions in the bilateral relationship. Analysts pointed out that U.S.-China negotiations have gradually shifted from tariff issues to technology exports and rare earth supply. The ongoing global concern over rare earth shortages could, if it worsens, lead to production halts in the automotive and related industries, increasing risks to the global supply chain.