Xi tells Trump that dialogue and cooperation the only right choice, calls for exchanges

President Xi Jinping has urged the United States to revoke the negative measures taken against China, and called for Sino-US exchanges across various fields such as diplomacy, trade, economy, military, and law enforcement to foster mutual understanding, reduce miscalculation, and enhance cooperation.

Xi made the remarks on June 5 during a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, which was held at Trump’s request. This was the first time the two heads of state held phone talks since the US launched a tariff war on April 2.

The US administration imposed high additional tariffs on China, prompting Beijing to take strong countermeasures. In May, the two sides held the first round of high-level economic and trade talks in Geneva, Switzerland, agreeing to pause the implementation of the tariffs for 90 days to allow further negotiations.

However, trade negotiations between China and the US were stalled shortly after the Geneva talks (until the renewal in London this week after the leaders’ phone discussion). Recently, the US announced it would impose restrictions on advanced chip sales to China and revoke visas for international students.

During his phone conversation with Trump on June 5, Xi said that recalibrating the direction of the giant ship of China-US relations requires the two sides to take the helm and set the right course, adding that it is particularly important to steer clear of various disturbances and disruptions.

He said the high-level trade talks in Geneva were a significant step toward resolving economic and trade issues through dialogue and negotiation, demonstrating that dialogue and cooperation are the only right choice for China and the US to address such issues.

Xi called on both sides to make good use of established economic and trade consultation mechanisms, treat each other with equality, respect each other’s concerns, and strive for win-win results. He reiterated China’s sincerity and principled approach.

Underscoring China’s commitment to its words and actions, Xi said both sides should honor the agreement reached.

China has diligently implemented the agreement following the Geneva talks, and the US side should objectively view the progress that has been made and revoke any negative measures imposed on China, he said.

Xi also cautioned the US to handle the Taiwan question prudently, so that fringe separatists bent on “Taiwan independence” are not able to drag China and the US into the dangerous terrain of confrontation, or even conflict.

Trump expressed his deep respect for Xi, highlighting the significance of US-China relations. He said the US welcomes China’s robust economic growth and believes in the potential for fruitful cooperation between the two nations.

Trump affirmed Washington’s adherence to the one-China policy.

He acknowledged the success of the high-level economic and trade talks between the two countries in Geneva, saying the US is willing to work with China to implement the agreement.

Trump also said that Chinese students are welcome to study in the US.

Xi welcomed Trump to visit China again, for which Trump expressed his appreciation.

Both leaders agreed that their teams should continue implementing the points of consensus reached in Geneva and promptly engage in another round of talks.

After the conversation, Trump wrote in a social media post that the call “lasted approximately one and a half hours, and resulted in a very positive conclusion for both countries”.

Among positive responses from outside the two nations, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the two leaders’ dialogue “is very important, given the links — the economic and geopolitical relations between these two important countries on the global stage”.

Wu Xinbo, dean of Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies, said the phone conversation was “on the whole a positive and constructive dialogue at a critical moment”.

“Both sides need to work together to create the conditions and atmosphere and enable the leaders’ expected face-to-face meeting, which will be a major event in bilateral ties,” Wu said, adding that in future two-way interactions, both sides need to steadily realize the consensus reached at the Geneva talks.

During the call, Xi told Trump that the Chinese always honor and deliver what has been promised, and he urged the US to remove the negative measures taken against China.

Following the May talks in Geneva, Washington rolled out a series of measures targeting China, including restrictions on chip exports to China and the plan to revoke visas for Chinese students studying in the US.

Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department of American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the recent moves taken by the US against China “have apparently failed to achieve what Washington wanted”.

“The US side must have clearly known that pressuring China using tools such as tariffs will only backfire,” she said.

China is, as always, sincere in solving the problems between the two nations, and the country will watch how Washington honors its fresh commitments, she added.

Senior Chinese officials have also called on Washington through various channels to repair the relations and deepen mutual understanding.

On June 3, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with David Perdue, the newly appointed US ambassador to China, and said that the US should work with China in the same direction and create the necessary conditions for returning US-China relations to the right track.

On June 5, Vice-President Han Zheng met with the US delegation attending the China-US Track Two High-Level Dialogue in Beijing, and expressed the hope that the high-level dialogue would pool the wisdom of people with great insights from both countries to enhance US knowledge and understanding of China.

Diao Daming, a professor of US studies at Renmin University of China’s School of International Relations, said the recent two-way communication at various levels, including the June 5 phone talks, “has already proven that the two countries can choose the right path — dialogue and consultation — and move forward in the right direction”.

He said there may still be space for further China-US cultural and educational exchanges, and “people should keep a close watch on whether and how Washington will follow through”.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn