Trump Hails Breakthrough with Xi on Trade Deal Despite Violation Clash

In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a marathon phone call on Thursday, lasting over an hour and a half, to iron out the kinks in a recently agreed-upon trade deal. Trump took to Truth Social to share the news, describing the conversation as very positive and a win for both nations. The focus was almost entirely on trade, with both leaders extending invitations to visit each other’s countries—Trump and First Lady Melania to China, and Xi with his wife Peng Liyuan to the U.S.

Yet, this diplomatic olive branch comes hot on the heels of Trump’s sharp criticism of China just days prior. Last week, he accused Beijing of blatantly violating the initial trade agreement struck in May, which aimed to slash tariffs significantly—U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports dropping from 145% to 30%, and China’s on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. Trump didn’t mince words on social media, blasting China for not honoring their end of the deal and hinting at a betrayal of trust.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer echoed this frustration, pointing out that while the U.S. upheld its commitments, China has been dragging its feet on removing non-tariff barriers. Meanwhile, Beijing fired back, urging the U.S. to correct its own missteps and respect prior high-level agreements. It’s a classic case of finger-pointing across the Pacific, with billions in trade hanging in the balance.

What’s intriguing is the timing of this cordial exchange of invitations, especially as Trump’s administration ramps up scrutiny on Chinese student visa holders in the U.S., even threatening aggressive visa rescissions. It’s a mixed signal—welcoming Xi to American soil while tightening the screws on cultural and educational exchanges. The trade dance between these two giants continues to be a rollercoaster, and the world is watching to see who blinks first.