Trump Toils for Elusive Breakthrough in Phone Call with Xi Jinping
US and Chinese Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping (Image credit X.com)
China Sweats out Trump with Rare Earth Metal Leverage and Tough Diplomatic Protocols
By TRH News Desk
NEW DELHI, June 6, 2025 – US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a significant 90-minute phone call on Thursday to work out a breakthrough in strained relations between the two nations. They sought to address escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump described the phone call “very good, focused almost entirely on trade,”. Focus of the conversation was particularly the complexities surrounding rare earth minerals.
The phone call, worked out after months of back channel diplomatic hard work, marked a potential thaw in US-China relations following friction over tariffs and export restrictions.
In a detailed Truth Social post, Trump announced, “I just concluded a very good phone call with President Xi, of China, discussing some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, Trade Deal. The call lasted approximately one and a half hours, and resulted in a very positive conclusion for both Countries.”
He further stated that “there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products. Our respective teams will be meeting shortly at a location to be determined.”
Trump noted that the US will be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in upcoming talks.
He added that Xi extended an invitation for him and First Lady Melania Trump to visit China, an offer he reciprocated, emphasizing mutual state visits as a gesture of goodwill between the “two Great Nations.” Trump clarified that the conversation avoided other geopolitical issues like Russia/Ukraine or Iran, focusing solely on trade.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, via state-run Xinhua news agency, confirmed the call, noting it was initiated at Trump’s request. The ministry’s readout stated that Xi “welcomed” Trump’s potential visit to China but urged the US to “take a realistic view of the progress made and withdraw the negative measures imposed on China.”
Xi emphasized the need to “course-correct the ship that is the Sino-US relationship” by eliminating interference and sabotage, referencing ongoing disputes over trade and restrictions on Chinese students and technology.
The Chinese statement also called for continued implementation of the Geneva agreement, a 90-day tariff truce reached in May 2025, and stressed “equality and respect” in negotiations.
The call follows a turbulent period in US-China trade relations. After Trump imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods in April, Beijing retaliated with 125% tariffs on US imports, effectively halting trade.
A temporary truce in Geneva saw tariffs reduced to 30% and 10%, respectively, but disputes persisted over China’s slow approval of rare earth mineral exports, critical for US industries like automotive, electronics, and defence.
The Trump administration accused China of violating the agreement, while Beijing criticized US moves like export controls on AI chips and visa restrictions for Chinese students.
The New York Times described the phone call as a “potential thaw” but cautioned that it’s “doubtful to be the breakthrough Trump is hoping for.” The daily reasoned that China has formal diplomatic protocols while Xi is reluctant for impromptu deals.
CNN noted Xi’s call for “win-win results” and highlighted China’s wariness of Trump’s unpredictability, suggesting the call was a cautious step forward. ABC News quoted Trump saying the call “straightened out any complexity” regarding rare earths, though details remained vague.
The Washington Post emphasized China’s leverage with rare earths, noting that Beijing’s control over 92% of global supply gives it significant negotiating power.
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