On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken over the phone to discuss trade issues and other topics as both sides try to position themselves amidst the brewing stand-off between the two countries.
The two leaders have spoken to one another after the high-level meeting between US and Chinese officials failed to reach a consensus last week but had agreed to resume the talks next week in Washington.
Trump began the call on a positive tone, calling Xi "my friend" and pledging in a post on Twitter that "good things will happen" on trade.
The While House said that the US president has "affirmed his commitment to ensuring that the trade and investment relationship between the United States and China is balanced and benefits American businesses and workers."
Xi had also spoken about the call and according to the report of the Chinese state media, he said to Trump that China-US relations were in an important phase.
Xi is also quoted in saying, "I attach great importance to bilateral relations, and cherish the good working relationship with Mr. President."
Xi also told Trump that the two countries should strive to find a solution to the trade dispute and stressed the importance of trade and economic relations to US-China relations. He also shared that their talks last week on the issue as "frank, efficient and constructive."
"The two sides' teams can maintain communication, and strive to find appropriate ways to resolve issues and achieve win-win outcomes," Xi said.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will be visiting Washington next week to resume talks on trade which began when the Trump administration threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports. Beijing had also countered such threat with its own tariffs on American goods.
The impact of the tariff war has shook the US and global stock market with many fearing it may lead to a trade war between the US and China.
Meanwhile, both leaders have also spoken about North Korea's nuclear program during their call with both Trump and Xi agreeing that sanctions on North Korea should be continued until the country dismantles them permanently.
