A high-level conversation between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping about trade is likely to happen soon, though no specific date has been confirmed yet, Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, said Sunday.
Speaking on ABC News’ This Week, Hassett said both sides have shown openness to continue discussions following rising tensions over allegations of trade deal violations. “President Trump, we expect, is going to have a wonderful conversation about the trade negotiations this week with President Xi,” Hassett stated. “That’s our expectation.”
However, he added that a date has not yet been scheduled, noting that “it has been discussed that the two of them will talk about the Geneva agreement, which we’re all very favorably inclined towards.”
Daily Talks Continue at Technical Levels
Hassett emphasized that despite the lack of a confirmed summit, discussions between the two countries remain active at lower levels. “People are talking every day,” he said, referencing the ongoing work between U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s team and their Chinese counterparts.
These daily conversations aim to push forward the Geneva trade agreement, signed after a meeting between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland. The deal had temporarily suspended most tariffs for 90 days, offering a window to ease trade tensions.
Tensions Escalate Over Agreement Accusations
The optimism surrounding renewed dialogue comes shortly after Trump accused China of violating the Geneva trade agreement, claiming on social media:
“China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
Trump also told reporters on Friday that he expects to speak with Xi about the violations, but again offered no clear timeline.
Other Officials Weigh In
Other senior Trump administration officials have echoed the president’s frustration. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that China was “slow-rolling the deal”, suggesting a lack of urgency from Beijing.
“I think slow-rolling is the right way to say it, and I think Donald Trump is on it,” Lutnick stated during an interview on Fox News Sunday.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also acknowledged that talks have hit a rough patch. Speaking to Fox News last week, he admitted, “Trade talks with China are a bit stalled. I believe that we will be having more talks with them in the next few weeks.”
A Conversation That Could Reset the Tone
If a direct call or meeting between Trump and Xi takes place, it would mark a significant development in the ongoing trade negotiations, especially after a week of intensified rhetoric and public blame.
While both nations had initially shown signs of cooperation following the Geneva meeting, the recent back-and-forth has raised doubts over how much progress has actually been made.
Observers note that a leader-level dialogue could help ease tensions, though fundamental disagreements on issues such as tariffs, tech exports, and compliance remain unresolved.
