US President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a phone call Friday, days before Trump’s inauguration.
The conversation, confirmed by China’s foreign ministry, addressed trade, the drug fentanyl, and TikTok. The call coincided with the US Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law banning TikTok unless sold by its China-based parent company.
Xi expressed a desire for improved China-US relations during Trump’s presidency. “We both value interaction and aim to build stronger ties from a new starting point,” Xi stated.
Economic tensions between the two nations have persisted since Trump’s first term, marked by a shift toward open rivalry.
Unprecedented Diplomatic Moves
Trump extended an unusual invitation to Xi in December, but China announced Vice President Han Zheng would attend the inauguration instead.
No Chinese head of state has ever attended a US president’s swearing-in ceremony.
Adding to the diplomatic presence, an eight-member Taiwanese delegation traveled to the US on Saturday for Trump’s inauguration.
Han Kuo-yu, Taiwan’s legislative speaker, emphasized strengthening ties with the US. “We bring best wishes from Taiwan’s 23 million citizens to President Trump and Vice President Vance,” Han said.
Under President Joe Biden, the US maintained a cautious approach to Taiwan, seeking to stabilize relations with Beijing. However, tensions rose due to US restrictions on advanced technology sales to China and tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and solar panels.
Taiwan’s Role in US-China Relations
Trump has criticized Taiwan for reducing the US semiconductor industry presence, yet relations between Taiwan and Washington improved significantly during his first term.
In 2016, as president-elect, Trump broke with decades of US policy by speaking directly with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, angering Beijing.
During Friday’s call, Xi urged Trump to handle Taiwan with caution, emphasizing its importance to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to annex the self-governed island by force if necessary. Meanwhile, US law requires supplying Taiwan with the hardware and technology necessary to defend against a mainland invasion.
Xi reiterated that “confrontation and conflict are not options” for the two nations, signaling hope for a balanced relationship during Trump’s presidency.