Trump says China called and wants to 'get back to the table' and hammer out a trade deal

(Image credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

published 26 August 2019

President Trump said Monday that unidentified Chinese officials had indicated overnight they want to resume trade talks. "China called last night our top trade people and said, 'Let's get back to the table', so we'll be getting back to the table, and I think they want to do something," Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Biarritz, France. He said his trade team fielded two "very good calls" from China, adding, "This is the first time I've seen them where they really want to make a deal. And I think that's a very positive step." Trump wouldn't say if he's been in direct contact with Chinese President Xi Jinping, though he called Xi "a great leader."

China's lead U.S. trade negotiator did say earlier Monday that Beijing is willing to resolve the trade war through "calm negotiation." Before Trump's comments, stock indices around the world were sharply lower on uncertainty about the U.S.-China trade war and what Trump might say.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.