The White House remained tight-lipped Monday when pressed on whether former U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have recently communicated about the future of U.S.-China tariffs, as speculation swirls over behind-the-scenes diplomacy amid intensifying trade tensions.
During a routine press briefing, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson was asked directly if any conversations had taken place between Trump the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election and Xi, either formally or informally. Watson declined to confirm or deny any interaction, instead redirecting the discussion toward the Biden administration’s ongoing trade policy.
“Our focus remains on a fair and rules-based trade system that supports American workers and counters unfair practices,” Watson said. “I won’t speculate on hypothetical or private conversations involving private citizens.”
The response comes as the Biden administration prepares to implement a fresh round of tariffs targeting key Chinese sectors, including electric vehicles and critical minerals, amid growing bipartisan pressure to adopt a tougher stance on Beijing.
However, Trump, who launched the original tariff campaign during his presidency, has suggested in recent speeches that he could broker a “better deal” with China if reelected fueling questions about possible unofficial outreach or signaling between the two camps.
Chinese officials have also remained mum on the topic, though Beijing has repeatedly called for “mutual respect and constructive dialogue” amid the deepening economic rift.
Analysts say even the perception of informal talks between Trump and Xi could complicate Washington’s trade posture, particularly as the 2024 campaign heats up and markets seek clarity on the future of U.S.-China economic relations.
“Any indication that Trump is engaging diplomatically, even unofficially, raises questions about where U.S. policy could pivot next year,” said James Cartwright, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
So far, no official communication between the two leaders has been confirmed.
source: independent.com