China’s Foreign Minister Speaks with Rubio Ahead of Xi-Trump Meeting

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, saying Beijing hopes Washington will engage in “preparations for high-level dialogue” between the two countries, according to an official Chinese statement.

Wang noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump “have maintained long-term communication and mutual respect,” describing their relationship as “the most valuable strategic asset in China-U.S. relations.”

The call came ahead of a planned meeting between Xi and Trump later this week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in South Korea. While Monday’s Chinese statement stopped short of confirming the meeting, the White House earlier said it would take place on Thursday.

Tensions between the world’s two largest economies have flared again in recent weeks after a period of relative calm. Beijing has tightened controls on rare earth exports, while Washington is pushing to impose extra port fees on Chinese vessels — sparking a wave of retaliatory measures on both sides.

Trade negotiators from the two countries met in Malaysia over the weekend to work toward a framework trade deal addressing issues such as soybeans and TikTok ahead of the presidential meeting.

“China-U.S. trade and economic relations have experienced some fluctuations,” Wang said, according to a statement from his ministry.

He added that during the Kuala Lumpur talks, “both sides clarified their positions and enhanced mutual understanding.”

Wang emphasized that as long as both sides remain “committed to resolving disputes through dialogue rather than exerting unilateral pressure,” bilateral relations can continue to move forward.

En route to Japan on Monday, Trump told reporters that the United States and China are “ready to reach” a trade deal.