• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a significant phone call focusing on key issues.
• Topics of discussion included TikTok, trade tariffs, and Taiwan, highlighting escalating diplomatic tensions.
• Both leaders expressed optimism for improved U.S.-China relations following the call.

In a recent conversation, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed pivotal matters including TikTok, trade concerns, and Taiwan. The call took place shortly before Trump assumes office again, amidst his proposals for new tariffs which may escalate economic tensions between the nations. Both leaders described the call as highly constructive, with Trump stating it was "a very good one" and expressing hope for a collaborative approach moving forward. Xi reciprocated Trump's sentiment, emphasizing the necessity for a positive commencement of U.S.-China relations [India Times].

Trump affirmed their discussions spanned crucial topics such as balancing trade and addressing issues like fentanyl and TikTok's future amidst ongoing national security concerns. Notably, the U.S. Supreme Court has mandated that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, divest its U.S. operations. Within this context, Trump reflected on their dialogue on social media, stating, "I expect that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately" [Reuters].

Additionally, Xi highlighted China's concerns regarding Taiwan, urging careful handling of the issue, which he framed as a matter of national sovereignty. He reiterated the principle that while the U.S. and China may have differences, both parties should respect each other’s core interests and maintain mutually beneficial trade relations devoid of confrontation. This call marked their first discussion since Trump’s election victory last year, setting a hopeful tone for their future interactions as both countries navigate a complex global landscape.