In a bid to salvage the delicate trade truce between the United States and China, President Xi Jinping engaged in a 90-minute phone call with President Trump this Thursday. Utilizing a maritime analogy, Xi compared the current bilateral relations to two powerful captains navigating a large ship, emphasizing the importance of holding the rudder steady in turbulent waters. He warned both leaders against allowing outside forces to steer their nations off course and jeopardize the fragile truce.
This call follows weeks of escalating tensions characterized by punitive economic measures imposed by the United States. Analysts suggest that China's agreement to the phone conversation was prompted by concerns over the growing influence of hawkish voices within Trump's administration, potentially undermining the delicate agreement reached last month to roll back tariffs and negotiate trade terms over the following 90 days.
Wu Xinbo, the dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, echoed the sentiments expressed by Xi, stating the necessity for direct communication to prevent the rapid deterioration of US-China relations. The recent escalation of US restrictions on technology has only heightened anxiety within Beijing, leading both powers to recognize the urgent need for dialogue to stabilize their interactions. As they face potentially dire consequences for global trade, both leaders must remember the weight of their maritime responsibilities in guiding their nations toward cooperative resolutions.
