Trump and Xi Hold Call to Push Trade Deal, Resolve TikTok Dispute
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Friday to advance negotiations over trade issues and the future of TikTok in the United States. The leaders’ discussion comes amid heightened tensions and renewed efforts to resolve disputes that have strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.
The phone call, confirmed by Chinese state media, began around 8 am Washington time. It marks their second direct conversation since Trump’s return to the White House, during which he reinstated tariffs on Chinese goods—a move that significantly escalated the ongoing trade war. Trump has said that both trade and TikTok would be central to the call.
Officials say the talks build on a framework agreement reached earlier in Madrid involving US and Chinese negotiators. Under this agreement, ownership and data security arrangements concerning TikTok have broadly been worked out, setting the stage for possible deals pending final approval from Trump and Xi.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, faces a potential US ban unless it relinquishes its controlling stake. Concerns from Washington focus on allegations that ByteDance could be compelled under Chinese law to provide access to US user data. In response, the draft framework reportedly includes conditions under which TikTok’s algorithm and US user data would be managed under US control, while respecting intellectual property rights.
Beyond TikTok, trade issues remain unresolved. Chinese leadership is said to be pushing Trump to roll back some tariffs and sanctions, while Trump aims to maintain leverage in negotiations. US farmers are closely watching outcomes related to agricultural trade, especially because exports such as soybeans have reportedly dropped sharply this year.
No final decisions over broader trade matters—among them agricultural product purchases, export controls, or restrictions on precursor chemicals—were announced following the call. Meanwhile, analysts believe the conversation could pave the way for a future in-person summit between the two leaders if progress continues.
Domestic observers have described the talks as a positive sign that despite public friction, dialogue is still ongoing. Yet, the ultimate resolution of contentious issues depends on detailed technical arrangements and political will on both sides.
The phone call, confirmed by Chinese state media, began around 8 am Washington time. It marks their second direct conversation since Trump’s return to the White House, during which he reinstated tariffs on Chinese goods—a move that significantly escalated the ongoing trade war. Trump has said that both trade and TikTok would be central to the call.
Officials say the talks build on a framework agreement reached earlier in Madrid involving US and Chinese negotiators. Under this agreement, ownership and data security arrangements concerning TikTok have broadly been worked out, setting the stage for possible deals pending final approval from Trump and Xi.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, faces a potential US ban unless it relinquishes its controlling stake. Concerns from Washington focus on allegations that ByteDance could be compelled under Chinese law to provide access to US user data. In response, the draft framework reportedly includes conditions under which TikTok’s algorithm and US user data would be managed under US control, while respecting intellectual property rights.
Beyond TikTok, trade issues remain unresolved. Chinese leadership is said to be pushing Trump to roll back some tariffs and sanctions, while Trump aims to maintain leverage in negotiations. US farmers are closely watching outcomes related to agricultural trade, especially because exports such as soybeans have reportedly dropped sharply this year.
No final decisions over broader trade matters—among them agricultural product purchases, export controls, or restrictions on precursor chemicals—were announced following the call. Meanwhile, analysts believe the conversation could pave the way for a future in-person summit between the two leaders if progress continues.
Domestic observers have described the talks as a positive sign that despite public friction, dialogue is still ongoing. Yet, the ultimate resolution of contentious issues depends on detailed technical arrangements and political will on both sides.