In a pivotal communication on June 5, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping reached out to President Trump amidst rising trade tensions, signaling the urgent need to stabilize the fragile trade relationship between the U.S. and China. The conversation followed a period marked by escalating economic measures that had raised concerns over a deteriorating trade truce.
During their 90-minute call, Xi employed a maritime metaphor to communicate the significance of their roles as leaders, urging that they must firmly hold the rudder to prevent external influences from steering their relationship astray. This appeal plays into the broader context of rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, driven by increasing economic restrictions imposed by the U.S.
Analysts believe that Xi’s communication partly stemmed from apprehensions in China regarding hawkish elements within Trump’s administration that jeopardized the recently established trade truce. As reported by Wu Xinbo, a prominent scholar from Fudan University, the urgency for dialogue at the top levels of government has never been more apparent, especially following a prior agreement to roll back tariffs meant to ease trade friction.
With the trade relationship hovering in a precarious state, both leaders acknowledged the importance of preventing any further escalations that could derail their tentative agreements. This call, characterized by its critical tone, underscores the mutual need for cooperation between the two nations during a time of significant instability.
During their 90-minute call, Xi employed a maritime metaphor to communicate the significance of their roles as leaders, urging that they must firmly hold the rudder to prevent external influences from steering their relationship astray. This appeal plays into the broader context of rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, driven by increasing economic restrictions imposed by the U.S.
Analysts believe that Xi’s communication partly stemmed from apprehensions in China regarding hawkish elements within Trump’s administration that jeopardized the recently established trade truce. As reported by Wu Xinbo, a prominent scholar from Fudan University, the urgency for dialogue at the top levels of government has never been more apparent, especially following a prior agreement to roll back tariffs meant to ease trade friction.
With the trade relationship hovering in a precarious state, both leaders acknowledged the importance of preventing any further escalations that could derail their tentative agreements. This call, characterized by its critical tone, underscores the mutual need for cooperation between the two nations during a time of significant instability.
