Cooperation only choice for US-China ties: Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Donald Trump in their first conversation that cooperation was the only correct choice for ties between the world’s two largest economies, with the US president-elect promising “one of the strongest relationships.”

Xi told Trump by telephone on Monday that the two powers benefited from working together and needed to coordinate efforts to promote global economic growth, state broadcaster China Central Television reported. The pair agreed to meet soon, CCTV said. “China and the US—as the world’s biggest developing country and the biggest developed country, —need to and can cooperate on many issues,” Xi said.

Trump believed the conversation “established a clear sense of mutual respect” and predicted the two sides would build a strong relationship going forward, according to a statement from Trump’s transition team. 

The exchange follows a campaign in which Trump accused China of victimising the US, a message that attracted a big following among voters in traditionally blue-collar states who blame globalisation for job losses. The billionaire real estate developer has promised to label China a currency manipulator, bring trade complaints against the nation, and impose tariffs if it doesn’t halt what he sees as unfair trading practices.