Trump Says China’s Xi Jinping ‘Extremely Hard’ for Deals/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump labeled Chinese leader Xi Jinping “very tough” and “extremely hard to make a deal with.” His comments come amid a stall in trade negotiations and growing tension despite a recent tariff truce. A long-anticipated call between the two leaders has yet to take place, with diplomacy teetering.
Trump vs. Xi Trade Tensions: Quick Looks
- Trump Praises, Then Pressures Xi: Trump reiterated respect for Xi Jinping while calling him a challenging negotiator, signaling strained diplomacy.
- Trade Talks Stall After Geneva Truce: A 90-day tariff pause is already unraveling as both sides accuse each other of violations.
- Call With Xi Still Pending: Despite White House predictions of a leader-level call, Beijing has yet to confirm any discussions.
- China Denies Trump’s Violation Claims: Beijing rebukes Trump’s assertion that it broke trade promises, blaming U.S. actions instead.
- Rare Earth Exports Still Restricted: China hasn’t eased export bans, frustrating U.S. hopes for access to key defense materials.
- U.S. Tariffs Surge: Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, pushing broader trade friction with multiple countries.
- Tech and Education in Crosshairs: The U.S. plans to limit visas for Chinese students and curb Huawei-linked AI tech sales.
- Xi Described as Unyielding: Trump’s language reflects admiration but also deep frustration over China’s trade posture.
Deep Look: Trump Says Xi Jinping ‘Extremely Hard to Make a Deal With’ as U.S.-China Tensions Escalate
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump reignited tensions with Beijing on Wednesday, describing Chinese President Xi Jinping as “extremely hard to make a deal with”, just weeks after a fragile trade ceasefire was brokered between the world’s two largest economies.
“I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social early Wednesday morning, expressing a mixture of respect and growing exasperation.
A Fragile Truce Under Pressure
The comment comes amid mounting diplomatic friction, only weeks into a 90-day tariff truce agreed to in Geneva. The deal was intended to de-escalate a damaging back-and-forth of tariffs, but implementation has stalled, with each side accusing the other of violations.
Trump’s latest remarks, though partially conciliatory, mirror his more combative tone from days earlier, when he accused China of “TOTALLY VIOLATING” the agreement and boasted about saving China with a quick deal, only to be met with disappointment.
Beijing, Washington at a Standstill
Despite repeated signals from the White House that a leader-level call between Trump and Xi was imminent, no such conversation has materialized. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had both suggested a call would happen this week.
But China’s Foreign Ministry said it had “no information to share,” adding to speculation that the dialogue has faltered. Trump and Xi have not spoken directly since before Trump’s second inauguration in January.
Rare Earth Dispute Adds Tension
A key point of contention involves China’s export controls on rare earth minerals, which are critical to U.S. defense and tech industries. The Geneva deal had been expected to ease these restrictions, but Beijing has yet to lift them, prompting a series of U.S. retaliatory measures.
“These minerals are vital to everything from iPhones to F-35 fighter jets,” one Trump administration official said. “China’s refusal to act has serious consequences.”
New Tariffs, Visa Revocations, and Tech Bans
The standoff comes amid Trump’s broader efforts to reassert U.S. dominance in global trade:
- Tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum doubled to 50% this week.
- The administration plans to revoke visas for Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party or critical tech fields.
- The U.S. has warned companies against using AI chips made by Huawei, citing national security concerns.
These moves have drawn sharp rebuke from Beijing, which views them as escalatory and hostile.
Diplomatic Signals Mixed
In Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with newly arrived U.S. Ambassador David Perdue, urging the U.S. to “return relations to the right track.” But Trump’s social media messaging and hardline trade tactics suggest otherwise.
“Trump’s message reflects the tension in his China policy,” said Simone McCarthy, CNN’s China correspondent. “It’s part praise, part pressure.”
U.S. Trade Courts Add Confusion
Further complicating matters, a U.S. trade court recently ruled that Trump overstepped his authority when imposing many of his tariffs. However, a federal appeals court quickly reinstated the tariffs, pending a full review, illustrating the legal gray area surrounding Trump’s trade strategy.
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