White House Announces Trump will Hold Discussions with China’s Xi in the Coming Days

February 3, 2025 TruthUSA

The phone call comes as Trump decries Beijing’s role in the fentanyl crisis and Chinese influence in Panama.

President Donald Trump is set to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the coming days, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, as reported on Feb. 3.

The call arrangement comes shortly after the United States increased tariffs on China, citing concerns about the influx of fentanyl-related chemicals from the country.

Leavitt mentioned in a news briefing that the call would take place “in the next couple of days.” Limited details are currently available regarding the call.

On Feb. 1, Trump signed multiple orders to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports, along with a 25 percent levy on Mexico and Canada, in response to the flow of harmful drugs into the United States.

The president defended the orders on Monday, referencing Colombia as an example of tariff effectiveness as a tool for negotiation. Colombian authorities had initially resisted U.S. military deportation flights but reversed course under the threat of tariffs and sanctions from the U.S.

Trump emphasized that without tariffs, the two countries would not have quickly found a solution.

“Tariffs are very powerful, both economically and in achieving other goals,” Trump stated.

Canada has agreed. On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau conversed with Trump and agreed to implement a $1.3 billion plan to fortify the border and halt the fentanyl influx. Trudeau mentioned that Canada will appoint a fentanyl czar, designate cartels as terrorists, ensure continuous surveillance of the border, and initiate a joint task force with the United States to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering.

The Chinese commerce ministry announced on Sunday that it will initiate legal action with the World Trade Organization to protect its rights and interests, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China suggested that the U.S. should handle its own fentanyl problem.

China’s U.N. envoy proposed a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at an upcoming United Nations Security Council gathering in two weeks, emphasizing the necessity for collaboration due to the high stakes involved.

Earlier, Trump had a conversation with Xi two weeks before his inauguration. Trump later revealed that Xi had initiated the call.

“Our aim is fairness. We seek a level playing field,” Trump stated at the World Economic Forum, highlighting the excessive $1.1 trillion deficit with China.

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino (C) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive for a meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City on Feb. 2, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein, Pool/AP Photo) — Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino (C) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive for a meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City on Feb. 2, 2025. Mark Schiefelbein, Pool/AP Photo

The U.S. government has frequently highlighted the need to counter Chinese influence to safeguard U.S. interests.

Rubio made Panama his initial destination on his week-long Latin America journey. He urged the country to reduce Chinese presence at the Panama Canal, citing a breach of a 1977 neutrality treaty that guaranteed the canal’s accessibility to all nations.

Although Panama did not agree to relinquish the canal, the canal authority stated on Sunday that they will “improve the transit priority of U.S. Navy vessels through the Panama Canal.”

The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, also pledged not to renew participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure project led by China. U.S. officials have shown appreciation for this decision, although Trump noted that he remains unsatisfied.

Trump confirmed during the briefing on Monday that he would speak with Panama’s leader on Friday afternoon.

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