President Donald Trump announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping has “more or less agreed” to speed up purchases of US goods. Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One following a phone call with Xi, which he described as positive and constructive. During the call, Trump urged Xi to buy US goods more quickly and in larger quantities. Trump expressed optimism, saying he expects to be “pleasantly surprised” by Xi’s actions.
The discussion comes amid signs of improving trade relations between the US and China. Recently, China resumed buying US soybeans and halted expanded restrictions on rare earth exports. These moves are seen as signs of easing tensions in the ongoing tariff dispute. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that China committed to purchasing 12 million metric tonnes of US soybeans this year. However, current purchases have fallen behind expectations, with only about two million metric tonnes ordered so far.
Trump’s phone call with Xi follows a meeting in South Korea, where both leaders discussed a framework for a trade deal. While the deal has yet to be finalized, progress on trade commitments appears to be moving forward. In addition to trade, Trump and Xi also addressed broader issues such as Taiwan, Ukraine, and fentanyl. However, Trump focused primarily on trade and agricultural products during his comments to the press.
Xi emphasized that Taiwan’s return to China is “an integral part of the post-war international order,” a statement that reflects Beijing’s longstanding stance on the issue. The US has maintained strategic ambiguity on military intervention regarding Taiwan but continues to urge Taipei to strengthen its defense capabilities. These discussions were part of ongoing efforts to manage the complex relationship between the two countries.
In addition to the trade talks, Trump accepted Xi’s invitation to visit Beijing in April. Trump also extended an invitation for Xi to visit the US later this year. China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the US initiated the call, describing it as “positive, friendly, and constructive.” A spokesperson noted that regular communication on common issues is crucial for maintaining stable China-US relations.
