Trump, Xi discuss TikTok, trade in call before inauguration

President-elect Trump said Friday he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders discussing trade and the fate of the popular video-sharing app TikTok.

"The call was a very good one for both China and the U.S.A. It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately," Trump posted Friday on Truth Social.

"We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects," he added. "President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!"

Trump had a frequently adversarial relationship with China during his first term, with the two sides engaging in tit-for-tat tariffs and with the president-elect raging against Beijing over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But he has in recent weeks signaled he may take a friendlier approach to the nation in his upcoming second term, even as he floats additional tariffs on Chinese goods.

Trump has referred to Xi as a friend and invited him to his inauguration; Beijing is sending its vice president instead. China typically sends an ambassador to the U.S. inauguration.

The president-elect has also expressed fondness for TikTok, the Chinese-owned app that Republicans had for years warned was a national security threat. Top Trump aides have signaled the incoming administration will take action to preserve the app for users in the United States, despite a looming ban.

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that the ban, set to go into effect Sunday would be upheld, but reports indicate President Biden will not enforce it on the final day

Topics

Trump and China's Xi discuss TikTok, trade, fentanyl, president-elect says

Xi after the call said that he and Trump both expressed hope for greater progress in U.S.-China relations, Reuters reported, citing the Chinese state media.
CNBC - 1h
Trump, China's Xi Speak Ahead of Inauguration

Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with President-elect Donald Trump on Friday on the heels of Beijing’s plan to dispatch the nation’s vice president to next week’s inauguration.
The Wall Street Journal - 3h
Trump says he had ‘good’ call with China’s Xi about TikTok and trade

World leaders also reportedly discussed Taiwan and fentanyl in first direct contact since 2021. China’s president, Xi Jinping , has spoken to the US president-elect, Donald Trump , on the phone ...
The Guardian - 3h
Trump and Xi discuss TikTok in first call since 2021

Conversation between US and Chinese leaders comes days before president-elect’s inauguration
Financial Times - 6h
Xi Jinping sends China vice-president to Donald Trump’s inauguration

Chinese president declines US president-elect’s unusual invitation but sends special representative Han Zheng. Trump inauguration: 10 things to know – from when it starts to how to watch The ...
The Guardian - 7h
Xi's special representative Han Zheng to attend Trump inauguration

China’s vice president will attend President-elect Trump’s inauguration, according to a Thursday statement from the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson. “At U.S. invitation, President Xi Jinping’s ...
The Hill - 18h
TikTok CEO attending Trump inauguration

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will attend President-elect Trump's inauguration next week, one day after a potential ban of the video sharing platform could take effect in the U.S., according to a source ...
The Hill - 1d
Xi to send high-level representative to Trump inauguration: Report

Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly choosing a high-level official to represent him at President-elect Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20, in a break from diplomatic protocol of years past. ...
The Hill - Jan. 10
Xi to send top-level China envoy to Trump’s inauguration

Unusual diplomatic overture comes as Beijing braces for escalating tensions with new administration
Financial Times - Jan. 9