Trump Fixates on China’s Xi Call Amid Faltering Trade Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump is pushing for a phone call with China’s Xi Jinping to revive faltering trade talks. The White House says the call is “likely,” but Chinese officials remain uncommitted amid rising tensions. Critical mineral access, fentanyl policy, and semiconductor export controls threaten to derail negotiations.
Trump-Xi Tensions: Quick Looks
- High-Stakes Call: Trump insists a direct call with Xi can break the stalemate in U.S.-China trade talks.
- Trade Pressure Builds: U.S. businesses fear supply chain disruptions as China stalls critical mineral exports.
- Diplomatic Skepticism: Chinese officials question Trump’s unpredictability and resist high-level engagement.
- Tariff Troubles: A recent agreement lowered tariffs, but implementation issues have reignited tensions.
- Fentanyl Flashpoint: The drug crisis remains a central sticking point, with Beijing awaiting U.S. response.
- Export Controls Backlash: U.S. semiconductor restrictions draw sharp criticism from Chinese leaders.
- Calls and Caution: Critics warn a rushed Trump-Xi call may undermine longer-term negotiation strategy.
Trump Fixates on China’s Xi Call Amid Faltering Trade Talks
Deep Look
Trump Presses for Xi Call Amid Mounting Trade Turmoil
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is fixated on a direct call with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bid to restart U.S.-China trade talks that have stalled just weeks after a short-lived truce. The White House said Monday the conversation is “likely” this week, though no official schedule has been confirmed.
Trump believes a one-on-one call with Xi could personally unlock progress on trade disputes, despite skepticism from both inside and outside his administration. “The president is obsessed with having a call with Xi,” said a source close to the talks. Trump sees direct engagement as the only path forward, hoping to bypass bureaucratic delays and get straight to the core of the issues.
But observers note that Xi operates under vastly different diplomatic norms than Trump — and may not be receptive to informal or sudden leader-level talks.
“Trump is a dealmaker. Xi is not — he’s a Party man,” said former trade official Harry Broadman. “Don’t expect specifics or breakthroughs from a leader-level call.”
Fractures Reappear After Temporary Truce
Last month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reached a tentative agreement with Beijing to reduce mutual tariffs and lower barriers on critical exports. The deal offered hope of relief, dropping U.S. tariffs from 145% to 30% and reducing Chinese import duties to 10%.
However, the 90-day window to formalize a broader trade pact has already run into obstacles. The U.S. accuses China of dragging its feet on key commitments — particularly on restarting shipments of critical minerals like rare earth magnets, used in everything from cars to defense systems.
“Xi has made his position clear,” said one insider, referencing China’s tight grip on mineral exports. “The question now is whether Trump is ready to apply maximum pressure.”
Fentanyl and Distrust Cloud Progress
Fentanyl policy is another thorn in the dialogue. Beijing has twice offered frameworks to restrict precursors used in synthetic opioid production, but the Trump administration has yet to respond meaningfully. According to business insiders, China intended these offers to spark good-faith talks — but Washington’s silence suggests ongoing distrust.
“There’s consensus that fentanyl is the gateway issue for further progress,” said one business official. Yet without U.S. engagement, the gap widens.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to tighten its grip on technology exports to China. Just one day after the trade agreement in Geneva, the Commerce Department issued new restrictions discouraging the use of Chinese-made chips — a move that blindsided Beijing.
“The Chinese side truly believed there would be a 90-day pause on provocative actions,” said one source. “Instead, they feel betrayed.”
Diplomatic Risk vs. Political Optics
Officials in both countries are weighing the risks of high-level engagement. In China, officials worry about the unpredictability of a Trump-led Oval Office meeting and potential reputational fallout for Xi. “It’s not common practice to expose the leader to unscripted or risky encounters,” said former NSC official Rush Doshi.
Meanwhile, Trump aides argue there’s little downside to requesting the call — if China declines, it shifts the narrative.
“It’s a win-win politically,” said a former Trump official. “Either we make progress, or we get to say China’s not serious.”
Still, some analysts caution that forcing diplomacy could undermine broader, more durable trade solutions.
“Rushing to a leader-level talk removes the chance to build a layered, long-term agreement,” Doshi warned.
Conclusion: High Stakes, Low Trust
As tensions spike over minerals, fentanyl, tariffs, and semiconductors, the path forward looks rocky. Trump’s belief in personal diplomacy may shape the next phase of U.S.-China relations — for better or worse.
But with automakers bracing for production shutdowns and Beijing signaling defiance, the White House may find that even a call with Xi can’t reverse the tide of strategic rivalry.
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