US-CHINA: Xi-Trump Call Takes Place 'At Latter's Request'

(MNI) London - China's state-run Xinhua has confirmed that President Xi Jinping has held a call with US President Donald Trump. For some time, there has been speculation as to when a call might take place. 

• On 4 June, Trump posted on Truth Social 'I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!". Xinhua says the call 'took place at the latter's request.'
• Xinhua: "The leaders engaged in discussions, reflecting ongoing diplomatic tensions amidst tensions."
• Politico noted on 3 June that a person familiar with the US-China trade talks "said the [US] administration is under “a lot of pressure” because of China’s block on critical minerals, crucial components for everything from auto and electronics manufacturing to munitions production. “I don’t think Xi is too interested in exporting any more rare earths or magnets to the United States, he’s made his position clear,”
• Momentum on reaching an agreement has stalled following the initial meeting in Switzerland in May. On 30 May, Trump said China had "totally violated its agreement with us". Afterwards, the Chinese gov't called on the US to "immediately correct its erroneous actions, cease discriminatory restrictions against China and jointly uphold the consensus reached at the high-level talks in Geneva".
• US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said around the same time that talks are "a bit stalled", and "this is going to require both leaders to weigh in with each other,”