Trump and Xi are likely to talk soon about trade, though no date has been set, Hassett says

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett spoke in a TV interview outside the White House in Washington, U.S., on May 9, 2025, suggesting that President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping could engage in trade discussions soon. Hassett mentioned that there is an expectation of a conversation between the two leaders this week, although a specific date has not been confirmed. He stated that talks about the Geneva agreement have been discussed, with both sides expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue. Additionally, Hassett noted that daily conversations are ongoing between U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s team and their Chinese counterparts to progress negotiations. A potential discussion between Trump and Xi would be a significant development following their recent meeting in Switzerland and the subsequent 90-day trade deal.

However, tensions heightened last week when Trump accused China of breaching the preliminary trade agreement, expressing his discontent on social media. Trump indicated that he would likely address the allegations with Xi. Other officials from the Trump administration, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have criticized China for slow progress in trade talks and suggested that future discussions will take place in the coming weeks.