Xi Jinping and Donald Trump Discuss Relations After Meeting Putin

Beijing, 4 February 2024 – Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in a telephone conversation with United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday, shortly after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During his talks with Putin, Xi proposed a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the cooperative relationship between China and Russia.

This dialogue marked the first interaction between Xi and Trump since their previous call in November, which took place against a backdrop of escalating tensions in China-Japan relations. It is notable for Xi to converse with both leaders on the same day.

According to state-run news agency Xinhua, details of the conversation between Xi and Trump were not disclosed. The discussions occurred just a day prior to the expiration of the New START Treaty, a nuclear arms agreement established in 2010 between the United States and Russia. Trump has expressed a desire for China to be included in any future nuclear treaty discussions; however, Beijing has rejected this idea, attributing its smaller nuclear arsenal compared to those of the United States and Russia.

The timing of the discussion is significant as the United States was hosting a meeting of officials from 50 countries aimed at addressing China's influence over the mining and processing of rare-earth elements. China dominates the global market, accounting for approximately 70% of rare-earth mining and nearly 90% of processing. These materials are essential for a wide range of industries, including electronics, automotive, renewable energy, and defence.

China previously halted exports of these crucial elements to several countries, including the United States and India, leading to disruptions in supply chains. In response, Trump has renegotiated trade terms, including the lifting of some high tariffs in exchange for China's resumption of rare-earth supplies and a lifting of restrictions on semiconductor chip exports.

In his earlier discussions with Putin, Xi remarked that the current international landscape has become increasingly volatile this year. He articulated the necessity for a "grand plan" to nurture the relationship between China and Russia, as reported by the South China Morning Post based in Hong Kong. Xi urged both nations to encourage a global commitment to fairness and justice, while emphasising the importance of upholding the United Nations and international law in maintaining global strategic stability.

These phone calls occur in the context of intensified strategic discussions between China and Russia at various diplomatic levels. As the United States implements its National Security Strategy, often referred to as the 'Monroe Doctrine', aimed at countering the influences of Beijing and Moscow, both leaders seem to be seeking deeper cooperation and support against what they perceive as external pressures.