US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping have held a phone call amid their ongoing trade war.
Trade negotiations between the United States and China stalled shortly after a May 12 agreement between the two countries to reduce their tariff rates while talks played out.
The call was first reported by Chinese state media and confirmed by the Chinese foreign ministry. According to Chinese state media, Mr Trump initiated the call.
The White House did not immediately comment.
It came a day after Mr Trump declared it was difficult to reach a deal with his Chinese counterpart.
“I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!,” Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site.
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The US president has cut his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% for 90 days to allow for talks, while China reduced its taxes on US goods from 125% to 10%.
The trade war has produced sharp swings in global markets and threatens to damage trade between the two nations.
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Mr Trump’s treasury secretary Scott Bessent had suggested only a conversation between the two leaders could resolve their differences in order for talks to begin in earnest.
