- Trump is pushing for a call with Xi, hoping it can personally fix the stalled U.S.-China trade talks.
- China’s reluctant to engage, viewing Trump’s eagerness as a sign of weakness and risk to Xi’s image.
- Trade tensions remain high with rare earth supply issues, fentanyl deadlock, and little real progress since May.
President Trump’s banking on a phone call with China’s Xi Jinping to smooth out the rocky path of U.S.-China trade talks. Sure, the White House says it’s “likely” to happen this week, but don’t bet the farm on it solving everything. Trump, ever the dealmaker, believes he can cut through the noise and fix deep-rooted economic tensions directly—just two world leaders hashing it out. Simple, right? Not quite.
The pressure’s building on Washington’s side. China’s tight grip on rare earths and magnets—key stuff for everything from smartphones to missiles—is making folks nervous. A source close to the talks said Xi probably takes the call but isn’t eager to budge. Trump thinks he’s got leverage; the real question is whether he’s ready to play that card full force.
China’s Caution and the Call That Might Not Come
Meanwhile, Trump’s team keeps dangling the idea of an imminent call, but behind the scenes, nothing’s on the books. China? They’re giving radio silence. And the vibe from Beijing is far from friendly—accusations of the U.S. “stirring up” economic friction don’t scream “let’s talk.” Former U.S. officials warn Trump’s eagerness might even be weakening his hand. China sees it, they smell the desperation—and that just makes them dig in deeper.
Xi isn’t known for spontaneous calls or flashy diplomacy. He’s part of a cautious, heavily structured system. Public drama, like Trump’s Oval Office theatrics, makes Chinese leaders even more hesitant. Plus, the PRC’s worried about getting caught in a public slip or political stunt that could backfire at home.
Rare Earths, Tariffs, and the Fentanyl Roadblock
Trade progress has stalled hard, even after both countries cut some tariffs in May. But delays, finger-pointing, and unmet expectations have derailed any momentum. China’s been slow to follow through on easing rare earth exports, and now U.S. automakers are warning of looming shortages that could shut down factories.
Then there’s fentanyl. It’s a major issue that sparked this trade war to begin with, and it’s still unresolved. China pitched two proposals, but the U.S. hasn’t really responded. Without movement on this front, there’s no real path forward for the broader trade deal.
Risky Diplomacy and Uncertain Payoff
Despite all the noise, the reality is this: a high-level Trump-Xi call could either break the deadlock—or blow things up. Jumping to leader-level talks can sideline the detailed, behind-the-scenes work needed for long-term solutions. Xi isn’t wired for on-the-fly negotiations, and a rushed call might backfire more than it helps.
Still, Trump’s team doesn’t see much downside. Ask for the call, they figure. If China refuses, it’s on them. If they agree, maybe—just maybe—there’s a crack in the wall. But with all the posturing, suspicion, and strategic tension, that’s a big maybe.
