Trump claims he spoke with Xi; China denies, so who should we believe?
April 2025
In a political landscape increasingly marred by mistrust and conflicting narratives, the public faces the crucial task of discerning truth from manipulation. This reality was once again highlighted as President Donald Trump claimed he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about ongoing tariff tensions — a statement starkly contradicted by Chinese officials.
In an interview published by Time magazine on Friday, Trump asserted that President Xi had personally called him. However, he provided no specifics about the timing or content of their conversation. Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a clear denial, stating, At present, there are absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S.
This firm rebuttal, delivered by ministry spokesperson He Yadong, was officially translated and circulated by CNBC.
When pressed further during his Time interview, Trump maintained his position. Asked if he would initiate a call with Xi should the Chinese leader not reach out first, Trump replied he would not. However, when directly asked whether Xi had called him, his answer was unequivocal: Yep. He's called.
Trump added, I don't think that's a sign of weakness on his behalf,
subtly framing Xi's supposed outreach as a strategic move.
During an informal press encounter on Friday morning before his departure for the Vatican to attend Pope Francis' funeral, Trump was questioned again about his communication with Xi. His response was evasive: I don't want to comment on that, but I've spoken to him many times, yeah.
This ambiguity only deepened the uncertainty surrounding the true state of U.S.-China relations.
Adding to the complexity, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently remarked that the existing situation with China was unsustainable.
Trump agreed with this assessment, emphasizing that with U.S. tariffs reaching as high as 145% on Chinese imports, and China retaliating with 125% tariffs, business activities would inevitably dwindle. At 145%, it's going to be very rare that you see business,
he stated.
Despite the escalating trade war, Trump projected a narrative of success. He claimed that since announcing global tariffs earlier this month, the U.S. had secured around 200 new trade agreements with other nations. However, when asked to identify these countries, he declined, promising to reveal details within the next three to four weeks.
His assertion: I've made 200 deals,
remains unverified, raising questions about the credibility of such statements.
Looking forward, Trump expressed that even if tariffs remained at 20%, 30%, or even 50% a year from now, he would regard it as a total victory
for the United States. Because the country will be making a fortune,
he boldly concluded.
Why Transparency Matters
In an era where political declarations often clash with verifiable facts, it is vital for citizens to remain vigilant. The contrasting claims between Trump and Chinese officials exemplify the urgent need for transparency and accountability. In a political environment tainted by misinformation and strategic posturing, the public deserves to know who is speaking the truth and who is manipulating narratives for personal or political gain.
The real question remains: In a world of power plays and broken promises, who truly stands for the truth?