The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for a phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, in an effort to ease rising trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
According to a Trump administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity, no date has been confirmed for the call, and it remains uncertain whether it will take place. CNBC had earlier reported the White House’s expectations regarding the potential conversation.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has not responded to requests for comment.
This move comes as both sides exchange accusations of violating a broad trade agreement reached last month, which had included significant tariff reductions by both countries. However, recent tensions threaten to unravel the fragile truce, raising fresh concerns for global markets.
President Trump has consistently maintained that only direct talks with Xi can resolve the ongoing trade disputes. However, the Chinese president has reportedly preferred that his advisers handle negotiations, avoiding direct contact.
The last known call between the two leaders took place in January, before President Trump’s inauguration.
On Sunday, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told ABC’s “This Week” that the administration expects a call with Xi to happen soon.
“President Trump, we expect, is going to have a wonderful conversation about the trade negotiations this week with President Xi. That’s our expectation,” said Hassett.
The U.S. has accused China of failing to follow through on its pledge to ease export controls on rare earth elements crucial for advanced electronics. Meanwhile, Beijing has criticized Washington for imposing its own restrictions on jet engine components, chip design software, limits on Huawei Technologies, and a crackdown on student visas.
This growing list of grievances now threatens to derail recent diplomatic progress, as both nations face increasing pressure to stabilize their economic relationship.
