WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump is set to talk with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday, aiming to finalize a deal that would allow the popular social media app TikTok to continue its operations in the United States. This conversation is expected to provide insights into the potential for a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders to resolve ongoing trade tensions and clarify the trajectory of U.S.-China relations.
This upcoming call will mark the second instance of Trump communicating with Xi since resuming his presidency, following a period marked by sky-high tariffs imposed on China. These tariffs instigated reciprocal trade restrictions that have strained the partnership between the two largest economies. However, Trump has shown a readiness to negotiate new trade deals with Beijing, particularly regarding TikTok, which risks being banned in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, relinquishes its controlling stake.
During the call, the two leaders are expected to discuss a framework deal concerning TikTok's ownership that was indicated by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after a recent U.S.-China trade meeting held in Madrid. Trump has postponed the deadlines multiple times for TikTok to be spun off from ByteDance, complying with a law passed last year that seeks to rectify concerns regarding data privacy and national security.
Trump stated, "I'm speaking with President Xi... on TikTok and also trade," outlining a belief that both sides are "very close to deals on all of it." He described his relationship with China as "very good," while alluding to the ongoing war in Ukraine, suggesting that European nations could resolve the conflict by imposing higher tariffs on China.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not confirm the call or any upcoming summit, but a spokesperson reinforced the significance of heads-of-state diplomacy in guiding U.S.-China relations. Sun Yun, the director of the China program at the Stimson Center, expressed optimism for a productive dialogue, emphasizing mutual interest in securing a leadership summit.
In addition to addressing TikTok, the call is likely to tackle other pressing trade issues. Recent months have seen top officials from both nations engage in four rounds of trade talks, with further discussions anticipated. Despite easing some punitive tariffs and export controls, numerous issues remain unresolved, including tech export restrictions and the purchase of U.S. agricultural products by China.
Trump's administration previously imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods, in part due to allegations that Beijing has failed to curb the flow of chemicals used for producing opioids. This trade policy has disproportionately affected U.S. farmers, with American farm exports to China dropping by 53% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.
As both sides navigate the complexities of their economic relationship, industry leaders are keenly watching the outcome of the discussions. Josh Gackle, chairman of the American Soybean Association, noted that the outcome of the call is critically important, especially as China has paused purchases of U.S. soybeans, causing frustration among farmers awaiting a resolution.
