Tensions are rising between the US and China as trade talks hit a snag. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to express his frustration, declaring that Chinese President Xi Jinping is “VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” This statement follows a Monday report by CNBC citing a senior White House official who indicated that Trump and Xi are expected to speak sometime this week. The timing is critical, as both sides are accusing each other of violating a 90-day tariff suspension agreement reached in Switzerland in May.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced his concerns in a Tuesday meeting with the new U.S. Ambassador, David Perdue, stating that the Trump administration’s recent actions are based on “groundless reasons” and harm China’s interests. He urged the U.S. to compromise and work towards restoring positive bilateral relations. The disagreement centers around China’s perceived failure to ease restrictions on rare earth exports and the U.S.’s continued efforts to limit China’s access to advanced technologies, including the recent announcement to revoke visas for Chinese students.
Adding to the complexity, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the trade talks as “a bit stalled,” highlighting the need for direct intervention from Trump and Xi. Their last conversation occurred in January, before Trump’s second-term inauguration. While Trump has expressed a desire to speak with Xi, analysts believe China will only agree if it’s certain that the U.S. will not introduce any unexpected measures during the call. The situation remains tense, with the outcome of this week’s potential conversation holding significant weight for the future of US-China trade relations.
This latest development underscores the challenges in navigating the complex relationship between the two economic superpowers. The back-and-forth accusations and stalled negotiations raise concerns about potential further escalations in trade tensions. The international community will be watching closely to see if Trump and Xi can find common ground and prevent a further deterioration of the already fragile relationship.
