Opinion | Why Xi’s decision to talk to Trump during trade crisis speaks volumes

In times of US-China tension, Chinese leaders tend to rebuff calls from their American counterparts. Xi choosing to speak to Trump stands out

Xi’s decision ran counter to the long-standing Chinese diplomatic approach during Sino-US tensions of the Chinese president refusing calls from the US president despite persistent entreaties. The White House had repeatedly predicted a Xi-Trump phone call only to fall silent when it did not materialise.

Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with 91 TCF vendor(s) and 19 ad partner(s), or used specifically by this site or app.

Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. Look for a link at the bottom of this page to manage or withdraw consent in privacy and cookie settings.

Consent