Trump Plans China Visit Amid Soaring Tariff Tensions

Donald Trump is heading to China. The US president made the announcement following a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Tensions Rise After Tariff Announcement

Ties between the two nations have been tense since Trump's announcement of new US tariffs on April 2. Trump and Jinping had their first conversation by phone since then on Thursday. As per a BBC report, Chinese state media stated that the White House took the initiative for the call between Trump and Jinping.

Leaders Hold Constructive Phone Call

Following the one and a half hour call, Trump tweeted that the two had a very good talk. Trump added that there were good things in the discussion on matters of trade. But there is no indication at all when Trump will visit China.

Escalation of Tariff

Coincidentally, on April 2, when the US imposed tariffs on other nations' goods, it also imposed a further 34 percent tariff on China. Beijing responded by targeting American goods in the Chinese market with tariffs. This only raised the tariff war between the two nations higher. Trump declared an extra 50 percent tariff hike. This makes the tariff 84 percent. Including the earlier 20 percent tariff, it is now 104 percent. Then the US hiked tariffs on Chinese goods in phases. Then it went up to 145 percent.