It's the first known call between the two leaders since Inauguration Day — and the first time they've spoken since tariffs began ratcheting up.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Donald Trump declared that Xi Jinping was “VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” Some 36 hours later, the US leader said he got what he wanted: A commitment to restore the flow of rare earth magnets.

President Donald Trump, who’s been hit with “TACO” (Trump Always Chickens Out) taunts on his tariff threats, appeared to gripe about his bargaining difficulties with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Truth Social early Wednesday.

On June 4, 2025, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, sparking global reactions. President Trump justified this move as a national security measure to protect American industries.

As the deadline for reactivating tariffs looms, the White House is pushing for a high-level dialogue with China. Amid renewed tensions and mutual accusations of breaching a previous trade agreement, President Trump aims to engage directly with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

After the US and China agreed in Geneva to lower tariffs from astronomical heights, tensions are now surging over access to chips and rare earths. And Beijing increasingly appears to have an edge.President Donald Trump on Friday accused China of violating the agreement struck last month,

The ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China have reached a critical point, with both nations entrenched in a complex web of accusations and strategic maneuvers. President Trump has publicly stated that China lacks leverage in the ongoing tariff negotiations.

China responded to President Trump on Monday, accusing the US of violating their trade agreement and vowing to protect its interests. “If the US insists on its own way and continues to damage China’s interests,