Donald Trump held his first conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping since leaving office in 2021, focusing on issues such as TikTok, trade, and fentanyl. The call occurred just before the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law banning TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform.
The ban, set to take effect in two days, will require app stores to stop offering TikTok in the U.S.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump described the call as “very good” and emphasized their shared commitment to promoting peace and safety. The call was confirmed by the Chinese state media but did not provide details about the TikTok discussion.
This conversation also marked the first direct exchange between Trump and Xi in four years and comes ahead of Trump’s inauguration, where Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend as Beijing’s envoy.
Although some Trump advisors hoped for a higher-ranking Chinese official to represent Xi, the invitation signals potential diplomatic engagement as Trump prepares to shape his China policy.
The call comes amid strained U.S.-China relations, which reached a low point during the Biden administration due to trade disputes, Taiwan tensions, and Chinese support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
While Biden and Xi made progress stabilizing relations last year, the two nations remain divided on numerous issues.
Trump has hinted at a tougher stance on China, including potential tariffs, but his administration’s approach remains uncertain as both sides prepare for future negotiations.
