President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement with China after a "friendly" phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Things are going well. It was a very good, friendly conversation," Trump said during an interview with Fox News aired on January 23, referring to the phone call he had with Xi last week before his inauguration.

When asked if a fair trade agreement with China could be achieved, the president confidently responded, "I can make it happen."

Trump stated that while he does not want to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, he views them as a powerful tool. "They don’t want the tariffs, and I don’t want to use them, but tariffs are an incredibly powerful measure against China," he emphasized.

Renewed Engagement with North Korea

In the same interview, Trump also expressed interest in reconnecting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The two leaders met three times between 2018 and 2019, with Trump becoming the first sitting U.S. president to step onto North Korean soil during a 2019 meeting at the Demilitarized Zone. Even after leaving office, Trump has often spoken about his "great personal relationship" with Kim.

Trade and Tensions

Trump initiated a trade war with China during his first term, imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese imports to address what he called unfair trade practices. As part of his new term, he has proposed additional measures, including a 10% tariff on all Chinese goods starting February 1.

The president has also accused Beijing of contributing to the opioid crisis in the U.S. through the illegal export of fentanyl.

In a January 17 post on Truth Social, Trump announced his call with Xi, stating that they discussed trade, fentanyl, TikTok, and other key issues.

China's Perspective

According to China's state broadcaster CCTV, Xi emphasized that bilateral trade relations could benefit both countries without resorting to "confrontation or conflict." Xi also expressed concerns over the U.S. approach to Taiwan, urging Washington to handle the issue carefully.

Trump has made clear his intent to press China on trade and other disputes, signaling a tough stance while leaving room for negotiation.

(Sources: Reuters, Fox News)