Trump, Xi speak by phone, vow improved ties despite threats

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Friday, days before the incoming US president returns to the White House, with both leaders vowing to take a positive approach to improving ties between the rival countries.

Xi said he hoped for a “good start” to relations with Trump, who in turn said “it is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately.”

Trump in the election campaign threatened China and other US trading partners with huge tariffs, but he has also said he is open to talks with Xi, a leader he has long openly admired.

The threat of a 10 percent tariff on Chinese products, in addition to existing tariffs dating back to Trump´s first term, is driven by accusations that China allows fentanyl´s chemical components to flow into Mexico and onto America where the drug causes 70,000 overdose deaths a year.

“We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects,” Trump said on his social media platform after their call. “President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!”

Trump´s impending return to the Oval Office has stirred fears that tensions between the world´s two largest economies could worsen rapidly.

This week Beijing slammed comments by Marco Rubio, Trump´s nominee for secretary of state, as “unwarranted attacks,” after Rubio called China “the most... dangerous near-peer adversary” the United States had ever faced.