ISLAMABAD (PEN) : U.S. President Donald Trump has described Chinese President Xi Jinping as “very tough” and “extremely hard to make a deal with,” highlighting ongoing tensions between the world’s two largest economies despite expectations of a high-level conversation this week.
Tensions Resurface Amid Tariff Talks
In a social media post on Wednesday, Trump stated, “I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH.” The remark comes as anticipation builds for a phone call between the two leaders to discuss unresolved issues stemming from last month’s tariff agreement in Geneva, including critical mineral trade.
The comment signals a potential stumbling block in U.S.-China trade diplomacy, especially after White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week that Trump was expected to speak with Xi to “iron out” bilateral differences.
Communication Uncertainty Lingers
Despite repeated statements from top U.S. officials, including Leavitt, about an impending call, Chinese authorities have not confirmed any recent contact between the two presidents. In April, China stated that no direct conversation had taken place between the leaders in recent months.
While U.S. officials continue to push for diplomatic engagement, Xi’s unavailability underscores the current strains in U.S.-China relations, particularly on trade and national security matters.
Legal Back-and-Forth on Tariffs
Adding to the complexity, a U.S. trade court recently ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority in implementing several tariffs under an emergency powers statute. However, a federal appeals court quickly paused that ruling to allow time for the government to appeal—temporarily reinstating the contested tariffs.
This legal tug-of-war has added uncertainty to trade negotiations, as the future of the tariffs remains in flux amid high-stakes discussions.
