Trump Calls Xi Jinping, US-China Team To Discuss Trade Tariffs Soon

US President Donald Trump/PHOTO DOCUMENTATION White House

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump said the United States (US) and China teams would meet as soon as he and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed trading by phone call on Thursday.

As reported by Reuters on Thursday, June 5, Trump emphasized that there should be no more questions about rare earth minerals.

The talks are almost entirely focused on TRADE. Nothing is discussed about Russia/Ukraine, or Iran," Trump wrote on social media, adding the two leaders invited each other to their respective countries for a visit.

Previously Trump described Chinese President Xi Jinping as someone who is very firm and very difficult to invite to make a deal.

"I like the President XI of China, always like it, and will always like it," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"But HE'S VERY FIRM, AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BE INVITED TO MAKE AN AGREEMENT !!!" Trump added.

The statement comes after reports Trump and Xi may hold talks this week, according to a senior White House official who spoke to CNBC on Monday on condition of anonymity.

While the timing is uncertain, both parties are expected to have direct communications in the near future, the official said.

The possibility of the talks taking place amid renewed tensions over the trade deal reached in Geneva on May 12.

Under the agreement, the US and China agreed to suspend most of the tariffs for 90 days and withdraw the measures imposed since early April.

Since then, each party has accused each other of violating the terms of the agreement.

Trump claims China failed to implement the deal, while Beijing on Monday (2/6) rejected the allegations as baseless and warned it would take firm countermeasures to defend its economic interests.