Amidst trade war, Donald Trump says he will ‘always like’ China’s Xi Jinping, but adds he is ‘extremely hard to … ’

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described Chinese President Xi Jinping as “very tough” and “extremely hard to make a deal with,” even as he voiced optimism about reaching a potential trade agreement, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over tariffs. In a post on X, Trump said, “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” The White House, meanwhile, indicated that the two leaders may finally hold a long-anticipated call later this week. “The two leaders will likely talk this week,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters outside the West Wing on Monday when asked whether a conversation between Trump and Xi was on the cards. However, when asked about the possibility of such a call, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry responded that Beijing had “no information to provide.” Trump and Xi have yet to establish any confirmed contact since the Republican leader returned to office more than five months ago, despite repeated assertions by Trump that a conversation is imminent. In fact, Trump had claimed during a Time Magazine interview in April that Xi had already called him—an assertion denied by Beijing, which said no such recent contact had taken place.

The current round of friction follows Trump’s move in April to implement sweeping global tariffs, with China being the most heavily impacted. The US President accused several nations of “ripping off” the United States and creating large trade imbalances. In a temporary de-escalation, Beijing and Washington last month agreed to reduce the high tariffs on each other for a 90-day period, following talks between top officials in Geneva.

However, tensions appear to be rising again amid uncertainty over future negotiations.However, Trump last month, during a press briefing at the white house struck a more hopeful tone, expressing confidence that the two countries would eventually come to terms. “Xi is a smart guy and we’ll end up making a very good deal,” he said, praising the Chinese leader as “one of the smartest people in the world… a man who knows exactly what has to be done, he loves his country.”Trump’s comments followed his decision to raise tariffs on all Chinese imports to 125%, accusing Beijing of showing a “lack of respect” for global trade norms. China retaliated by hiking tariffs on American goods to 84%, escalating fears of a prolonged economic standoff.Asked about the possibility of further tariff increases, Trump replied, “I don’t think I’ll have to do it,” but the administration signalled its firm stance.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China had “shown themselves to the world as the bad actors” and claimed the US pressure strategy was drawing results.China, for its part, remained defiant. The ruling Communist Party’s mouthpiece, People’s Daily, dismissed Washington’s approach as “tariff bullying” and highlighted China’s economic resilience and “rich struggle experience” after years of trade tensions.

Still, it emphasised that Beijing remained open to dialogue.Trump, leaning on his style of personal diplomacy, said he might speak directly with Xi and predicted a breakthrough. “We will get a phone call at some point, and then it’s off to the races,” he told reporters. While touting US military strength during the remarks, he quickly returned to negotiations: “It is a negotiation… You have to have flexibility.”