Trump And Xi Jinping Discuss TikTok And Trade Issues In High-Stakes Phone Call On Friday

International News:  US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call on Friday morning. The call began at 8 am Washington time. It was the second direct talk between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House. Officials confirmed the call through Chinese media but gave few details. Both sides said the main focus was TikTok and trade. The call was seen as very important in easing tensions.

TikTok deal in focus

TikTok has been facing a possible ban in the United States. The US wants ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to spin off its controlling stake. Washington has raised concerns over data security. Lawmakers insist the app’s algorithm and user data must remain under American control. Reports say both sides agreed on rules for using TikTok’s intellectual property. A final decision will be taken directly by Trump and Xi.

Trade war still burning

While TikTok dominated the headlines, trade disputes also shaped the call. Trump has reimposed tariffs on Beijing after returning to power. This has led to rising tensions between the two countries. Xi Jinping is expected to push Trump to ease sanctions and tariffs. Trump, however, wants to use US leverage to get better terms. Farmers in America are especially worried about falling soybean exports to China. The trade war has already hurt markets this year.

Madrid deal set stage

Earlier this week, US and Chinese officials met in Madrid. They reached a basic agreement on ownership and security rules for TikTok. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that broad arrangements had been settled. He said both countries are close to a deal. Trump also told reporters the issues could be finalized soon. This created hope that at least TikTok will continue operating in America. The Madrid talks were crucial for building trust.

Farmers watch developments closely

Soybean growers in the United States are keeping a close eye on trade talks. Exports to China have dropped sharply this year. Farmers say they need relief and clarity on future sales. Josh Gackle, chairman of the American Soybean Association, said the talks are encouraging. He stressed that time still remains to find solutions. Agricultural issues remain at the heart of the trade tensions. The farming sector is directly affected by tariffs and restrictions.

Wider issues remain open

No agreement has been reached yet on other trade disputes. These include fentanyl precursors, agricultural purchases, and export restrictions. Analysts say both sides have more ground to cover. China wants concessions while the US wants guarantees. The Friday call is seen as a step but not the end of negotiations. Officials believe more rounds of discussions will follow. Both countries know the stakes are high in these talks.

Summit possible in future

Experts say the phone call may set the stage for an in-person summit. A direct meeting between Trump and Xi could help finalize deals. Such a summit would be watched worldwide. The two leaders have met before at high-profile events. This time, the stakes are even higher with trade and technology both in question. For now, the Friday call gave hope of progress. But the real outcome will depend on coming weeks.