Chinese President Wants ‘Substantive Actions’ from Trump to Improve U.S.-China Relations

The president of China, Xi Jinping, told President Donald Trump that he needs to do more to improve relations between the two countries. In a phone call on Friday, Xi recommended ‘substantive actions’ because their relationship is now at an ‘important juncture.’

“Working together brings both sides benefits, fighting hurts both. Cooperation is the only choice,” President Xi told Trump.

Xi called for a relationship ‘without conflict and confrontation’ that is based on ‘mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.’

“Only by united can the international community defeat it [Covid-19],” Xi said.

President Trump and his subordinates and media surrogates have repeatedly referred to Covid-19 as the ‘China Virus’ or ‘Wuhan Virus’, to the Chinese government’s consternation. Recently, a G7 foreign ministers meeting was unable to issue a joint statement because Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted on using the term ‘Wuhan Virus.’

“Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the CoronaVirus that is ravaging large parts of our Planet,” Trump tweeted early Friday morning.

Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the CoronaVirus that is ravaging large parts of our Planet. China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020

“China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!”

Trump’s position on China has been contradictory. In the initial stages of the outbreak he praised the country for its transparency but later shifted to linking the disease directly to China. However, Trump has recently rowed back on this strategy, possibly because of the reaction of the Asian American community.