Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Monday to discuss upcoming diplomatic engagements. During the call, Wang urged Washington to “meet it halfway” to support preparations for potential top-level meetings between the two countries.
According to an official Chinese readout quoted by Reuters, Wang emphasized that Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump have “long-standing exchanges and respect each other.” He described their bond as “the most valuable strategic asset in China-US relations.”
The conversation took place ahead of a possible meeting between Xi and Trump in South Korea later this week, expected to happen on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit.
No Official Confirmation Yet
China’s statement about Monday’s discussion did not directly confirm whether the meeting will take place. However, the White House has already signaled that the two leaders are likely to meet on Thursday.
This anticipated encounter comes at a sensitive time, as relations between the two largest economies have become strained again after months of calm.
Renewed Trade and Economic Tensions
Beijing recently tightened restrictions on rare earth exports, a key component in electronics and defense industries. In response, Washington introduced extra port fees on Chinese vessels, sparking a round of countermeasures from China.
Both sides appear to be testing each other’s limits, even as they try to rebuild trust. Over the weekend, trade representatives from China and the U.S. met in Malaysia to draft a framework for a possible trade deal. The agreement, still under negotiation, covers issues such as soybean exports and the future of TikTok’s operations.
Wang Emphasizes Dialogue Over Pressure
During the call, Wang said that “China-US trade and economic relations (have) experienced some twists and turns.” He noted that recent discussions in Kuala Lumpur allowed both delegations to clarify their positions and “enhance understanding.”
He also stressed that bilateral relations can progress only if both sides are “committed to resolving conflicts through dialogue and abandon the practice of exerting pressure at will.”
Wang’s comments signaled Beijing’s preference for negotiations rather than confrontation as both governments prepare for their leaders’ meeting.
Trump Confident About Progress
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, who is currently traveling to Japan as part of his Asia tour, expressed optimism about ongoing trade discussions. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said the United States and China are expected to “come away with” a trade deal soon.
Trump’s remarks suggest that Washington hopes to achieve a breakthrough when he meets Xi later this week.
What Lies Ahead
The potential Xi-Trump meeting in South Korea could set the tone for renewed cooperation—or further competition—between the two powers. With both sides taking small steps toward dialogue, the world will be watching whether the leaders can turn cautious optimism into concrete progress.