Xi, Trump frame phone call in positive terms, but offer few details

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump have spoken by phone for the third time this year, capping off a string of high-level US-China engagements, with the US leader suggesting that the two sides made progress on trade friction and a TikTok deal, among other issues.

Both presidents framed the conversation in positive terms, with Trump calling it “very productive” and Beijing describing it as “pragmatic, positive and constructive”.

Trump suggested that a deal was sealed on TikTok, and on the “need to bring the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end”, but provided no further details.

“The call was a very good one, we will be speaking again by phone, appreciate the TikTok approval, and both look forward to meeting at Apec” in South Korea, he said in a social media post.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit is scheduled for October 31-November 1, with the Post earlier reporting the possibility of a bilateral meeting on its sidelines.

The Chinese side, meanwhile, urged a resolution on TikTok that complies with Chinese law, though it also offered no details on the outcomes of the call. A statement published by Chinese state media outlet Xinhua said issues of mutual concern were discussed in a “candid” manner and included an “in-depth exchange of views”.