• Trump and Xi discussed trade deal implementation in a June 2025 call, leaving the door open for an in-person meeting later this year.
  • Both sides extended a 90-day tariff truce, providing near-term stability as negotiations continue.
  • A potential summit could coincide with the APEC meeting in South Korea in October, though no formal date is set.

Diplomatic Signals Point to Possible Summit

Former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have signaled willingness to meet before the end of 2025 if ongoing trade negotiations yield further progress, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The two leaders held a lengthy phone call in June, reaffirming their commitment to the Geneva trade agreement and directing their teams to continue implementation talks. While no concrete plans are in place, diplomatic channels suggest a meeting could align with the APEC summit in late October.

Tariff Truce Provides Breathing Room

The U.S. and China agreed to extend a 90-day pause on new tariffs, easing immediate economic tensions as negotiators work on unresolved issues such as intellectual property protections and technology transfers. Market analysts note that the truce has already contributed to a more optimistic global growth outlook, with the IMF recently revising its forecast to 3%. However, experts caution that the window for a lasting deal remains narrow, and failure to reach an agreement could reignite tariff threats.

Taiwan and Tech Remain Flashpoints

Beyond trade, the call reportedly touched on sensitive geopolitical issues, including China’s insistence that the U.S. handle Taiwan-related matters with caution. Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s mixed stance on Chinese students and academic exchanges—welcoming their contributions while tightening university oversight—adds another layer of complexity to bilateral relations.

Efforts to reach spokespeople from both administrations for additional comment were unsuccessful. The White House later confirmed the call but declined to elaborate on specific negotiation timelines.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the month of the Trump-Xi call. It occurred in June 2025, not May.