High-Level Phone Talk Between Xi, Trump Sparks Global Attention

China and the United States took a significant step following a phone call on Monday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, signaling renewed dialogue and cooperation between the two nations. During the call, Xi emphasized that Taiwan’s “return to China” is a central component of the post-war international order, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. He also reminded Trump that “China and the United States once fought side by side against fascism and militarism, and should now work together to safeguard the outcomes of World War Two.” 

Beijing continues to consider Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control. Taiwan, however, maintains that its future must be decided solely by its people. Regional tensions have intensified between China and Japan, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

A White House official confirmed that the conversation took place but did not provide additional details.

Xi-Trump Previous Agreement Eases Trade Tensions

The recent Xi-Trump discussions come after months of trade tensions triggered by US tariff measures earlier this year. Efforts to negotiate and ease these frictions have been ongoing, and in the latest call, Xi noted that bilateral relations have “stabilised and improved.”

The most recent development in US-China trade relations came on Nov. 10, when China’s Ministry of Transport announced a one-year suspension of all special port fees and related investigations affecting US-linked vessels. The suspension covers measures outlined in Announcement No. 54 (2025) on port fee collections, Notice Jiaobanshui [2025] No. 59 on implementation procedures, and Announcement No. 55 (2025), which addressed investigations into security and development impacts on the shipping and shipbuilding sectors.

Simultaneously, the United States announced a one-year suspension of Section 301 tariffs targeting Chinese shipping equipment, including ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling machinery. Effective from Nov. 10, through Nov. 9, 2026, the suspension halts duties and additional tariffs imposed earlier this year. These coordinated actions mark the first major de-escalation in a trade conflict that had disrupted global supply chains and impacted the maritime industry.

The de-escalation follows the high-level Busan meeting, where Presidents Xi and Trump reached a series of agreements to reduce trade frictions. Key outcomes include a one-year delay of China’s rare earth export restrictions, immediate US tariff reductions on Chinese goods linked to the fentanyl trade, confirmation of large-scale soybean purchases by China, and the extension of the suspension of reciprocal tariffs and retaliatory measures. Other agreements address the resumption of the TikTok US sale framework, enhanced cooperation on fentanyl control, agricultural trade, and corporate dispute resolution.

Leveraging the US-China Trade Pause: Opportunities for Mexico

Ilan Epelbaum, Director General, Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) in Mexico, told MBN that the recent pause in US-China trade tensions offers Mexican industries an operational window, particularly for sectors reliant on critical Asian inputs, such as automotive. Mexican auto production fell 3.7% in October 2025, with exports down 5.5%, highlighting the vulnerability of supply chains to shifts in US-China relations.

He stressed that manufacturers in Mexico should use this period strategically: reinforcing safety inventories, redesigning logistics routes, and adopting dual sourcing to reduce dependence on single suppliers or ports. While global exposure remains, these measures lower the risk of total disruption.

Looking toward 2026, he said companies must view this easing as temporary. Proactive planning, rather than reaction, will be key to consolidating Mexico’s role as a reliable regional trade partner and mitigating potential future disruptions.