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Xi Holds Same-Day Calls With Trump and Putin, Balancing U.S. Dialogue and Deeper Russia Ties

The rare back-to-back contacts signal calibrated parallel diplomacy during the New START treaty’s Feb. 5 expiry.

Overview

  • Trump called his talk with Xi an excellent, long discussion covering trade, military issues, Taiwan, Iran, Ukraine, and his planned April visit to China.
  • China’s readout emphasized Taiwan as the most important issue and urged caution on U.S. arms sales, while not confirming an April visit or specific purchase commitments.
  • Trump said China was considering more U.S. oil and gas and larger soybean buys, including 20 million tonnes this season and 25 million next season, claims absent from Beijing’s statement.
  • Earlier the same day, Xi proposed a grand plan to deepen ChinaRussia cooperation; the Kremlin said Putin accepted an invitation to visit China in the first half of 2026.
  • The calls unfolded against the backdrop of the New START pact reaching its Feb. 5 end date, intensifying questions about future arms-control frameworks and U.S. efforts to draw China into talks.