US President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to visit China, stating that Chinese President Xi Jinping invited him during a recent phone conversation focused on resolving ongoing trade tensions. The call, which lasted an hour and a half, comes at a time when both countries are navigating the aftermath of a tentative tariff truce and rising diplomatic challenges.

A Long-Awaited Conversation on Trade and Tariffs

According to Trump, the phone call was very good and covered key areas such as tariff reductions, rare earth mineral exports, and ongoing disputes over technology restrictions. He said that both he and Xi extended invitations to each other and that he would travel to China with First Lady Melania Trump in the near future.

The Chinese government confirmed the conversation but did not mention any reciprocal invitation to the United States. Xi was quoted by Chinese state media as urging Washington to withdraw negative measures imposed on China and respect the Geneva trade consensus reached earlier in the year.

The leaders have not spoken since February, when Trump launched a trade war by raising tariffs on multiple countries, targeting Chinese goods most severely. China responded with high tariffs of its own, pushing rates to as much as 145 percent in some cases.

The Geneva Deal and Stalled Progress

In May, the two nations agreed to a 90-day ceasefire on escalating tariffs. Under the deal, the US cut its tariffs on Chinese imports to 30 percent, and China lowered its tariffs on US goods to 10 percent, while also promising to ease restrictions on critical mineral exports.

However, talks have largely stalled, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement. The US has claimed that China failed to restart rare earth mineral shipments vital to industries such as electric vehicles and computing. China has in turn said that US actions on semiconductor restrictions and student visas have violated the spirit of the deal.

New Restrictions and Student Visa Tensions

Following the phone call, Trump said the US would continue to monitor and regulate Chinese student visas, though he clarified that Chinese students are still welcome. He added that restrictions on semiconductor software and export controls would remain.

Trump also noted that the conversation with Xi clarified the complexity surrounding Rare Earth products, which have been a strategic leverage point in the trade dispute.

Taiwan Remains a Flashpoint

According to the Chinese readout of the conversation, President Xi warned the United States about its stance on Taiwan, urging it to handle the issue with caution. This warning came just days after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described China as an imminent threat to Taiwan during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out military force to bring it under Chinese control. The US, while providing military support to Taiwan, does not officially recognise it under the One China policy.

Xi reportedly said that the US should prevent a small group of Taiwan independence supporters from dragging the two nations into a conflict.

High Stakes and Personal Diplomacy

Trump’s announcement of the visit and public description of Xi as very tough and extremely hard to make a deal with reflect his preference for personal diplomacy over formal negotiations. While Trump likes to be directly involved, China usually prefers to handle such matters through designated officials and carefully choreographed negotiations.

The latest phone call between the two leaders may provide a temporary thaw in strained relations, but both sides appear committed to pursuing their own national interests even as they seek areas of agreement.

Outlook

As of now, no dates have been officially announced for either leader’s visit, and neither government has issued a formal schedule. The world will be closely watching how this interaction plays out, especially amid continuing tensions over Taiwan, tech restrictions, and mineral exports.

Whether the Geneva agreement can still serve as a roadmap for future US-China trade relations remains uncertain, but the renewed direct communication between Trump and Xi marks a notable shift in tone.

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