Trump’s Revelation of Contact with Xi Jinping
In an interview with Time magazine, Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping had personally called him to discuss trade:
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Trump claimed he would not have called Xi himself but noted Xi reached out.
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He emphasized that this outreach was not a "sign of weakness" from Xi.
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Trump expressed optimism, saying China would eventually agree to a deal at an acceptable level, emphasizing that the U.S. cannot continue sustaining a massive trade deficit with China.
Trump’s Analogy on Trade
Trump used a metaphor to explain America's economic power:
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He likened the U.S. to "a giant, beautiful store" that everyone wants access to.
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As the "owner," he said it was his right to set the terms for entry, implying that America's economic strength gave it leverage over trade partners.
Chinese Government's Continued Denials
Despite Trump’s claims, China's government continued to deny any discussions:
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The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Commerce both stated that no negotiations were happening.
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They maintained that the U.S. must first abolish unilateral tariffs for talks to begin, emphasizing equality and mutual benefit.
Conclusion
While Trump asserted that behind-the-scenes communication was happening with Xi Jinping, the Chinese government publicly rejected this notion, doubling down on their defiant stance. This contradiction highlights the ongoing tension and strategic posturing in the high-stakes trade conflict between the world's two largest economies.
