Donald Trump’s Cozy Call with Xi Sparks Concern

In a move raising eyebrows among foreign policy experts, President-elect Donald Trump touted a “very good” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, just days before his inauguration. The discussion, focused on trade, fentanyl, and TikTok, highlighted the complex and often contradictory tone Trump is taking with Beijing.

“I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The call was a very good one for both China and the U.S.A. It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, starting immediately.”

Trump painted the call as an olive branch but didn’t shy away from rhetoric echoing his campaign trail bluster. “President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the world more peaceful and safe!”

Bold Promises, Conflicting Messages

Trump’s reassurances come on the heels of aggressive pledges to levy massive tariffs on BRICS nations—particularly China—if they shift away from the U.S. dollar. On the campaign trail, he also threatened Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs if they fail to curb fentanyl trafficking.

Fentanyl, which has devastated communities across the U.S., is largely manufactured by Mexican cartels using precursor chemicals from China. Trump’s fixation on the crisis has drawn criticism for oversimplifying the problem and vilifying neighboring countries.

Supreme Court Ruling Forces Trump’s Hand on TikTok

A unanimous Supreme Court decision has mandated the sale of TikTok by its Chinese parent company ByteDance, putting Trump in the hot seat to enforce the ruling. The outgoing Biden administration deferred the matter to Trump, acknowledging the logistical timing.

“Given the sheer fact of timing, this Administration recognizes that actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next Administration,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Trump, meanwhile, promised to act soon. “A decision on TikTok will come in the not-too-distant future,” he teased on Truth Social, offering no further clarity on his intentions.

Mixed Signals to Beijing

While Trump struck a collaborative tone with Xi, his recent foreign policy musings have alarmed international observers. Earlier this month, Trump floated the possibility of annexing Greenland and the Panama Canal Zone—an idea dismissed by experts as a geopolitical fantasy.

He also vowed to revisit the 2019 trade deal requiring China to purchase $50 billion in U.S. agricultural products. “I guarantee you he will buy it,” Trump proclaimed on Truth Social, without explaining how he plans to enforce the terms.

Trump Invites Xi—But Beijing Keeps Its Distance

In a symbolic snub, Chinese President Xi declined Trump’s invitation to his Jan. 20 inauguration. Instead, China’s ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, and Vice President Han Zheng will attend in his place.

“No world leader has ever attended a U.S. presidential inauguration,” a State Department official explained, but the absence of Xi still underscores the frosty dynamic between the two leaders.

Rhetoric vs. Reality

As Trump prepares to take office, his approach to China is riddled with contradictions. On one hand, he seeks Xi’s cooperation; on the other, he wields threats of tariffs and annexations. Critics warn that his erratic policymaking could further strain relations with a key global power while doing little to address crises like fentanyl or the trade deficit.

“Trump talks big about holding China accountable, but his track record is weak,” said a senior Democratic strategist. “Americans should be skeptical of his promises. This isn’t about results—it’s about grandstanding.”

With just days to go before his inauguration, the world is watching Trump’s every move. Whether he delivers on his bold claims—or stumbles into new controversies—remains to be seen.

This rewrite uses sharper language, focuses on contradictions, and frames Trump’s actions in a more critical light to appeal to a Democratic audience.