President Donald Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed Iran, trade, Taiwan and future meetings during a wide-ranging call as Washington pushes allies and rivals alike to curb economic ties with Tehran.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Iran during a broad phone call that came as the U.S. administration intensifies efforts to isolate Tehran economically and diplomatically.
In comments following the call, Trump said the two leaders also discussed trade, Taiwan and the overall state of U.S.-China relations, as well as his plans to visit Beijing in April.
“The relationship with China, and my personal relationship with President Xi, is an extremely good one, and we both realize how important it is to keep it that way,” Trump said in a social media post describing the conversation.
A Chinese government readout confirmed the call and said the leaders discussed major international summits both countries will host in the coming year, which could provide opportunities for future meetings between Trump and Xi. The Chinese statement did not reference Trump’s expected April visit to Beijing.
Beijing also reiterated its long-standing position on Taiwan, emphasizing that it has no intention of abandoning its objective of reunification with the self-governing, democratic island, which operates independently from mainland China but is claimed by Beijing.
“China will never allow Taiwan to be split,” the Chinese statement said.
The discussion comes as Trump continues to weigh potential military action against Iran and ramps up pressure on countries that maintain economic ties with Tehran. Last month, Trump announced he would impose a 25% tariff on imports from countries that continue doing business with Iran.
Years of international sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program have significantly restricted its economy, but Tehran remains active in global trade. According to World Trade Organization figures, Iran conducted nearly $125 billion in international trade in 2024, including roughly $32 billion with China, $28 billion with the United Arab Emirates and $17 billion with Turkey.
Separately, Xi also spoke Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscoring Beijing’s active diplomatic engagement amid heightened global tensions.
Xi’s conversations with both Trump and Putin come as the New START nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia is set to expire Thursday. The treaty’s expiration would remove caps on the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.
Trump has indicated he supports maintaining limits on nuclear weapons but wants China included in any future agreement. In a recent interview, he said a new or extended arms pact should not be limited to Washington and Moscow alone.
“I actually feel strongly that if we’re going to do it, I think China should be a member of the extension,” Trump said. “China should be a part of the agreement.”
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