“It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately. We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!”

China’s official Xinhua news firm first reported on the call, which came three days before opening day.

TIKTOK CEO TO ATTEND INAUGURATION WITH FRONT-ROW SEAT AT TRUMP’S INVITE

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and President-elect Donald Trump. (Xi Photo: Pedro Pardo – Pool/Getty Images | Trump Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump had invited Xi to attend the inauguration rite on Monday. New White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital last month that Trump hopes to create “an open discussion with leaders of countries that are only our allies but also our adversaries and competitors. “

Xi declined to attend, but will send one of his most sensible representatives, Vice President Han Zheng, to Washington, D. C. , in his place.  

China’s Foreign Ministry made the announcement Friday morning and the two leaders spoke, the South China Morning Post reported.

“We are in a position to dialogue and communicate with the new US government, properly address differences, expand mutually favorable cooperation, jointly pursue a stable, healthy and long-lasting relationship between China and the United States, and find the right path for both countries. . to achieve a mutually favorable relationship,” the ministry said.

XI JINPING WARNS TRUMP US WOULD ‘LOSE FROM CONFRONTATION’ WITH CHINA AS RENEWED TRADE WAR LOOMS

President-elect Trump has threatened to impose 60% price lists on all Chinese-made products imported into the United States (Al Drago/Bloomberg Getty Images)

On the campaign trail, Trump threatened to slap steep tariffs on Chinese-made products, renewing fears of a trade war once he assumes office. Now questions abound whether Trump will keep that promise amid deteriorating U.S. relations with Beijing. 

China threatens US allies such as the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan in the South China Sea. They were accused of sending Chinese nationals to spy on US military bases and sending what was believed to be a surveillance balloon across the United States.

While Trump ushered in an era of strong industry festival and increased aid for Taiwan in his first term, President Biden has not necessarily improved relations.  

Republicans are proposing a bill that would double price lists for Chinese imports and end favored industry status.

President Joe Biden shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral assembly Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Lima, Peru. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo AP)

Trump raised price lists by at least 10% during his first term on goods worth more than $300 billion. Biden has not eliminated those price lists.  

This is in addition to export controls on a variety of products that began under Trump and were strengthened under Biden.

If Trump succeeds in raising the price lists to 60%, it could reduce Chinese exports by $200 billion and cause GDP to fall by a percentage point, said Zhu Baoliang, a former chief economist at the agency. of Chinese economic planning, a Citigroup conference.  

Last year, China exported about $500 billion in goods to the United States, or about 15% of all its exports.  

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Officials from Trump’s transition team were reportedly in talks with the Chinese ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Trump said earlier this month that he thought he and Xi would “probably get along very well. ” 

Xi Trump in November to congratulate him on his election victory and warned that the United States would “win from cooperation and lose from confrontation” with China.

Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

Chris Pandolfo is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris. pandolfo@fox. com and to him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.

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