As the world closely follows the escalating tariff tensions between the United States and China, analysts have raised doubts about U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim, made during a magazine interview, that Chinese President Xi Jinping had called him.
President Trump told Time magazine that discussions over tariffs were ongoing between the two countries, a statement he reiterated to reporters before departing for Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome.
However, Beijing refuted the notion that any talks were happening.
“There are currently NO consultations or negotiations regarding tariffs between China and the U.S.,” the Chinese Embassy in Washington asserted in a statement.
“The U.S. should cease spreading confusion,” the statement added.
Following Trump’s remarks to Time, several China experts told ABC they found it unlikely that President Xi had personally reached out to Trump.
Xin Sun, a business lecturer at King’s College London, described it as “highly unlikely” Xi would call Trump unsolicited, explaining that doing so could be perceived as yielding under pressure—something that could destabilize Xi’s political standing.
“For a Chinese political leader, appearing weak could have severe consequences, potentially empowering political rivals,” Dr. Sun explained.
Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser on Chinese business and economics at the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed with this view.
“I don’t believe the two leaders have had direct communication since their conversation on January 17,” Dr. Kennedy said, referencing a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement acknowledging that call following Trump’s re-election.
Kennedy added that Trump had recently made several public statements suggesting progress with China and other countries, likely to calm market concerns.
“While minor communications may exist, it’s highly unlikely that formal negotiations are underway,” he said.
‘A Defensive Strategy’
After Trump introduced a 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports, China retaliated with a 125 percent tariff on American goods.
Although details about ongoing talks remain unclear, signs of de-escalation have emerged, with China recently exempting some U.S. goods from tariffs.
Meanwhile, Trump has also imposed a series of tariffs on other nations, prompting them to negotiate with Washington.
In his Time interview, Trump claimed the U.S. had secured 200 tariff agreements, expecting them to be finalized within three to four weeks.
“We’re meeting with China. We’re doing well with everyone. But ultimately, I’ve secured all the deals,” he said.
Nevertheless, Dr. Sun noted that no major trading partners have confirmed the signing of such agreements.
“Given the Trump administration’s recent pattern of unverified claims, it seems politically strategic to suggest ongoing talks with China,” he said.
“This tactic could serve as a safeguard if Trump later needed to soften his stance on tariffs.”
Bethany Allen of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute added that if a call between Trump and Xi had occurred, it would be unlikely for Chinese officials to deny it.
“Trump is known for making spontaneous and sometimes imprecise remarks,” she said.
“Chinese communication, by contrast, is extremely controlled and deliberate. Trump may have been referencing some form of contact between officials—perhaps significant, perhaps not.”
On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that Beijing supports the international rules-based order regarding tariffs and stands against protectionism.
He emphasized that China would seek solidarity with other countries against what he called “extreme egoism” and the bullying behavior of certain nations—a clear criticism of the U.S.
