Chinese leader Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump that the two sides must work together to find solutions to trade and economic disputes, state media reported.
The two leaders spoke at Trump’s request, the state-run China Central Television said Tuesday. The Chinese president urged both sides to take a “constructive approach” and work “properly” to settle disputes and open up each other’s markets, CCTV said.
After criticizing China during the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly praised Xi during his first year in office and the pair have had frequent conversations. Relations have shown signs of strain in recent months, however, as China resists harsher sanctions on North Korea and Trump’s calls for trade concessions.
