Trump and Xi Jinping Set to Meet Amid Tensions

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold a phone call on Friday, September 19, 2025, following a week of intensive trade negotiations in Madrid that have sought to ease escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The talks, which included U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, resulted in a framework agreement that could allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States, averting a ban that was set to take effect on September 17.

Framework Deal on TikTok and Trade

The Madrid negotiations focused on two of the most contentious issues in U.S.-China relations: the future of TikTok’s U.S. operations and the imposition of steep tariffs on each other’s goods. According to U.S. officials, the framework would require TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations to American ownership, addressing longstanding national security concerns about data access and foreign influence. Chinese officials, meanwhile, sought concessions on broader trade and technology policy, with both sides agreeing to temporarily lower tariffs—30% on U.S. imports from China and 10% on Chinese imports from the U.S.—as a gesture toward de-escalation.

High-Level Diplomacy Amid Lingering Tensions

While the framework deal marks a significant step forward, both governments acknowledge that major decisions—such as the final fate of TikTok and the future of tariffs—may only be resolved after the Trump-Xi call. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, described the Madrid talks as having gone “VERY WELL” and hinted that young Americans would be pleased with the outcome regarding TikTok. However, U.S. officials have emphasized that national security will not be compromised for the sake of a social media app, and questions remain about the extent of Chinese involvement in TikTok’s future operations.

Chinese state media and the Ministry of Commerce have called for the U.S. to approach the remaining disputes “on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultations,” urging dialogue to resolve concerns over technology access and trade imbalances. The Chinese delegation is expected to remain in Madrid through Wednesday, with both sides working to stabilize an uneasy truce while addressing disputes over rare earth exports and U.S. demands that China reduce its purchases of Russian oil.

Outlook: Uncertainty and Strategic Competition

Analysts caution that the Trump-Xi call is unlikely to yield a comprehensive breakthrough, given the deep-seated mistrust and competing interests at play. Trump’s approach to China has been marked by unpredictability, with frequent shifts in policy on issues ranging from technology exports to tariffs. While the current framework on TikTok and trade offers a temporary reprieve, the underlying strategic competition between the U.S. and China is expected to persist, with both sides preparing for further negotiations and potential summits later in the year.

The outcome of Friday’s call will be closely watched by global markets and policymakers, as it could set the tone for U.S.-China relations heading into 2026. For now, the Madrid talks have provided a rare moment of progress, but the path to lasting stability remains fraught with challenges.