Rudolph Angler President-elect Donald Trump spoke with China’s President Xi Jinping on Friday, days before his inauguration, discussing key issues like trade, TikTok, and Taiwan.
The phone call coincided with the US Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a law banning TikTok unless sold by its Chinese parent company. According to China’s foreign ministry, both leaders expressed hopes to improve China-US relations during Trump’s presidency.
“We both value dialogue and aim to achieve greater progress in bilateral relations from a fresh starting point,” Xi said, according to Beijing.
The two nations have been engaged in a tense economic rivalry since Trump’s first term, marked by trade conflicts and competition.
High-Profile Delegations and Diplomatic Messages
Trump extended an unusual invitation to Xi in December, but hours before their call, China announced that Vice President Han Zheng would attend Trump’s inauguration as Xi’s special representative. No Chinese leader has ever attended a US presidential inauguration.
Meanwhile, an eight-member delegation from Taiwan departed for Washington to attend Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. Taiwan’s legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu stated the group aimed to strengthen US-Taiwan relations.
“We bring the warmest wishes from Taiwan’s 23 million people to President Trump and Vice President Vance,” Han said before departing.
Under President Joe Biden, the US maintained a cautious approach to Taiwan, balancing support for the island with efforts to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing. Biden had imposed restrictions on advanced technology sales to China and maintained high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and solar cells, further straining relations.
Taiwan Issue Highlights Ongoing Tensions
While Trump has criticized Taiwan for relocating parts of its semiconductor industry from the US, his first term saw significantly improved ties with Taipei. In 2016, then-president-elect Trump broke protocol by speaking directly with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a move that angered Beijing.
During Friday’s call, Xi urged Trump to handle the Taiwan issue with care, emphasizing its importance to China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Confrontation and conflict should not be an option for the two countries,” Xi stated, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry.
US law obligates Washington to provide Taiwan with the military hardware and technology needed to defend itself against potential Chinese aggression. Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has vowed to annex the self-governed island by force if necessary.
As Trump prepares to assume office, the complex dynamics between China, the US, and Taiwan will remain a focal point in shaping future relations.