U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a 90-minute phone call on June 5, 2025, agreeing to resume stalled bilateral trade negotiations. The conversation, described as “very good” by Trump, focused on issues such as rare earth mineral exports and the broader trade relationship between the two nations.
During the call, Trump stated, “There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of Rare Earth products,” signaling a potential easing of restrictions on these critical materials. Both leaders extended invitations to visit each other’s countries, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties.
The U.S. delegation for the upcoming talks will include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Details regarding the timing and location of the meetings are yet to be announced.
Despite the positive tone of the call, underlying tensions remain. China has suspended exports of various critical minerals and magnets, disrupting global supply chains. Additionally, disputes persist over U.S. support for Taiwan and China’s microchip export restrictions. Xi emphasized that the U.S. should “take a realistic view of the progress made and withdraw the negative measures imposed on China,” particularly concerning technology and student visa policies.
The renewed dialogue comes after a temporary 90-day agreement to roll back some tariffs, which has provided a brief respite in the trade war. However, both sides continue to navigate complex issues that could impact the global economy.
