NEWS
Trump Speaks With Xi by Phone, Predicts ‘Positive Results’ Through Presidential Term
President Donald Trump said he spoke with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping by phone in a “long and thorough call” on Feb. 4, spanning many subjects ahead of the U.S. president’s April visit to China.
“Many important subjects were discussed, including Trade, Military, the April trip that I will be making to China (which I very much look forward to!), Taiwan, the War between Russia/Ukraine, the current situation with Iran, the purchase of Oil and Gas by China from the United States … and numerous other subjects, all very positive!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
Trump said China would consider raising its soybean purchases to 20 million tons for the current season, up from the current 12 million metric tons.
China will also commit to purchasing 25 million tons of soybeans from the United States next season, according to Trump.
According to bulk shipping data analyzed by Signal Group, Brazil remains China’s primary soybean supplier even as purchases of U.S. goods resumed.
Trump described his relationship with Xi as “extremely good” and said “we both realize how important it is to keep it that way.”
He said he believed there would be “many positive results” achieved through the next three years of his term regarding China.
Trump and Xi last met in October 2025 in South Korea, extending a trade detente and securing Chinese cooperation to curb the fentanyl crisis. Trump will travel to China in April for another bilateral meeting.
The call took place the same day the United States hosted a new global summit aimed at weakening China’s monopoly on the critical minerals market.
Representatives from more than 55 countries attended the Critical Minerals Ministerial, with half planning to or expressing interest in joining a “preferential trade zone” that will establish price floors for critical minerals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the goal was to prevent the kind of disruption that comes with a market monopoly, or “at worst-case scenario,” that monopoly being used as leverage against other countries.
Beijing had last year announced a new licensing regime that would subject all critical minerals sales to review by Chinese authorities. The international community condemned the move, seeing it as highly disruptive to the supply chain because it would severely slow down—if not cut off—the flow of critical minerals.
Vice President JD Vance said the price floors would be enforced through adjustable tariffs, allowing the predictable conditions that could attract the investment needed to open mines and processing centers.