Xi congratulates Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory, expressing hope for constructive relations between the two countries, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday.

In a message to Trump, Xi said that China and the US benefit from cooperation and suffer from confrontation, pointing to history as evidence of the need for collaboration.

Trump, in his victory speech early Wednesday, pledged to “stop wars” and pursue a new era of prosperity for the US. However, many media outlets have raised concerns about the potential for a renewed US-China trade conflict, similar to the one during Trump’s first term.

Contrary to reports of a phone conversation, Chinese officials clarified that Xi’s congratulations were sent in a formal message. Xi conveyed that a stable and sustainable US-China relationship is in the interests of both nations and aligns with international expectations, according to Xinhua.

Xi also called for “mutual respect” and “mutually beneficial cooperation” between the two nations, urging peaceful coexistence, open dialogue, and effective management of differences.

Trade tensions remain a potential sticking point between the two nations. Trump’s campaign featured promises of increased tariffs on Chinese goods, while the current Biden administration recently raised tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 100% duty on electric vehicles and a 50% duty on semiconductors, among other products.

Global leaders have extended congratulations to Trump, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not yet reached out, highlighting strained US-Russia relations, which Peskov described as “the lowest point in history” amidst tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.