Overview

• Trump initiated a roughly 90-minute call with Xi Jinping on June 5 that focused almost entirely on trade tensions between the United States and China.
• Both leaders called the outcome positive and agreed to have their respective trade teams meet soon to negotiate a long-term agreement.
• They addressed US complaints about slow-rolled rare earth mineral exports and China’s objections to new US export controls on advanced technology and threats to revoke Chinese student visas.
• Xi invited President Trump and First Lady Melania to visit China, and Trump reciprocated by extending an invitation to Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan.
• The call marks their first direct conversation since January and comes after a fragile 90-day truce cut US tariffs to 30% and Chinese levies to 10% on each other’s goods.